JOIN USOf the total 448 tmc ft surplus water available, the tribunal has awarded 190 tmc ft to AP, 177 tmc ft to Karnataka and 81 tmc ft to Maharastra - three riparian States.
The tribunal’s approval to increase the height of the dam benefits Karnataka, although the tribunal has not taken into account the principles laid down by the first tribunal on sharing the surplus water. Going by the principle, Karnataka would have got 100 tmc ft more water.
The State will have to now scale down its masterplan for irrigation projects designed for 265 tmcft. The tribunal has asked Karnataka to release water to AP in June and July. From where should Karnataka release water? The tribunal has not given similar direction to Maharashtra.
Further, the tribunal asked Karnataka to earmark six tmcft to maintain minimum flow of water. Ultimately, this amount of water is going to benefit AP. The Karnataka government should file a review petition questioning such decisions.
Capt S Rajarao
Rtd Secretary, Department of Minor Irrigation
Though scheme ‘B’ was not part of the Bachawat award in 1973, it had clearly said that Karnataka should get 50 per cent of the surplus water. The tribunal has, however, given more to Andhra Pradesh (190 tmcft). Karnataka has got less compared to Andhra Pradesh. How can we accept this award?
S M Panchaghatti
Former Secretary to Dept of Water Resources, Karnataka
As a whole, the award is safisfactory for Karnataka. Andhra Pradesh had claimed the entire surplus water. But the tribunal has shot it down. Karnataka has got 177 tmc ft out of 448 tmc ft surplus, which is okay. With this final award, the Tungabhadra Board, constituted by the Tribunal, will be dissolved and the Karnataka Government can set up its own board to manage Tungabhadra waters. The tribunal has asked the State to release eight to 10 tmc ft water to Andhra Pradesh in June and July every year. I don’t think it will be a problem. Moreover, the tribunal has allowed the Almatti Dam height to be raised to 524.5 metres as demanded by the State.
K C Reddy,
Irrigation expert
The decision to allow an increase height of the dam gives life to lift irrigation projects - Mulavada, Chimmalagi, Gutti Basavanna, Marola and a few others - proposed in Bijapur and Bagalkot districts that require at least 100 tmc. The tribunal had made it mandatory for all three states to release water to maintain minimum flow of river, upholding what we had been fighting for.
The government should file a petition to review allocation of surplus water as it was not according to the Bachawat award and its ruling to release water in June and July to Andhra Pradesh.
Panchappa Kalburgi
President, Bheema Nadi Neeru Samrakshana Samiti