Vamsadhara tribunal order favours A.P.

Allows utilisation of 8 tmc of water by constructing side weir near Battili across the river

A view of the Vamsadhara river in Srikakulam district. File photo.

The Vamsadhara Water Disputes Tribunal on Tuesday gave a favourable order to benefit thousands of farmers in Srikakulam district.

It has allowed Andhra Pradesh to utilise 8 tmc of water from Vamsadhara with the construction of a side weir near Battili of Bhamini mandal.

The side weir draws excess water during floods and diverts the water to Hiramandalam reservoir.

Odisha’s objection

The Odisha Government is strongly objecting to the construction of the barrage as well as side weir on the ground that a few villages would be submerged in its territory. The tribunal headed by Mukund Sharma visited the disputed sites in April, 2013, and heard the arguments of both the States.

Irrigation officials of Andhra Pradesh explained that over 100 tmc of water was flowing into the sea without benefiting the two States.

Justice Sharma who promised to find out an early solution gave an order for the construction of side weir.

District to be benefited

Srikakulam Irrigation Department superintendent engineer B.Rambabu and executive engineer Dola Tirumala Rao told The Hindu that it was a great achievement for the State which would benefit thousands of farmers in the district.

“We will continue to fight in the tribunal for the construction of the barrage since it will benefit the district immensely. Over 2 lakh farmers can opt even for the second crop with the optimum utilisation of water throughout the year,” said Mr. Tirumala Rao.

The State government has already spent Rs.500 crore over the project. However, the contractors stopped the remaining works with Odisha approaching the Supreme Court. The irrigation officials hoped that the works would be taken up with the favourable order given by the tribunal.