Vamsadhara River Water Dispute

• 10 Jun 2020

Why in News

The Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha will hold talks to clear out all differences with regard to the sharing of Vamsadhara river waters.

• Andhra Pradesh wants to build the Neradi bridge across the river which will be possible only after Odisha’s consent.

Key Points

• Andhra Pradesh also wants to complete the inter-linking of its Nagavali river with the Vamsadhara and expand the Madduvalasa Reservoir project soon.
  
  • Madduvalasa Project is a Medium Irrigation Project with a reservoir across Suvarnamukhi river, a tributary of Nagavali river.
• Agriculture is the only assured economic activity for the people living in the backward region and in the absence of rapid industrialisation, there is a need to concentrate on irrigation projects to make agriculture a viable activity.
• Background:
  
  • In February 2006, Odisha sent a complaint to the Central Government under Section 3 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956 regarding its water disputes with Andhra Pradesh pertaining to Inter-State River Vamsadhara. It demanded for the constitution of an Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunal for adjudication.
  • Grievances of Orissa:
    
    • Adverse effect of undertaking the construction of a canal (called a flood flow canal at Katragada, Andhra Pradesh) taking off from the river Vamsadhara.
      
      • The flood flow canal would result in drying up the existing river bed and consequent shifting of the river affecting the groundwater table.
    • Failure of Andhra Pradesh to implement the terms of the inter-state agreement relating to use, distribution and control of waters of vamsadhara and its valley.
    • Odisha also raised the issue of scientific assessment of available water in Vamsadhara at Katragada and Gotta Barrage, Andhra Pradesh and the basis for sharing the available water.

Vamsadhara River

• It is an east-flowing river which originates in Kalahandi district of Odisha, flows in Odisha, along its boundary with Andhra Pradesh and finally joins the Bay of Bengal at Kalingapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• It is the main river of north-eastern Andhra region and the Boddepalli Rajagopala Rao Project was constructed on it to meet the irrigation needs of the region.