The Godavari is the
largest river in the South India and the second largest in Indian Union next
only to the Ganges. It rises in the Sahyadris at an altitude of 1067m above
Mean Sea Level (MSL) near Triambakeshwar in the Nasik District in Maharashtra
and flows across the Deccan plateau from the Western to the Eastern Ghats.
Rising in the Western Ghats about 80 Kms from the shore of the Arabian Sea, it
flows for a total length of about 1465 kms in South-Eastern direction through
the states of Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh before it joins the Bay
of Bengal. About 97 kms to the south of Rajahmundry. After passing through the
Damsite of gangapur project, upstream of Nasik city about 32 kms from its
source and further traversing a distance of about 32 kms, the Godavari receives
the waters of the Darna from its right bank. A short distance lower down, the
Kadwa joins the Godavari from its left. The river has already got out of the
high rainfall zone near the Western ghats and there is no further significant
contribution to the river flow, until about 217 kms from its source where it
receives the waters of Sindphana river from its right bank and thereafter at
about 555 kms from its source, when still in Maharashtra, it receives the
combined waters of the Purna and Dudhna rivers from the left. About 694 kms
from its source, just at the border between Maharashtra and Telangana, the
Godavari receives the waters of Manjira, Manair and Lendi rivers flowing on its
right. At this point the Godavari runs at an elevation of about 323 mts and
enters a high rainfall zone of about 1060mm and more. The average bed fall of
the river in Maharashtra is about 1 in 1000. The river flows further east
through Telangana. At about 764 kms from its source , the Sri Ramsagar
(Pochampad) Damsite is located. The river bed level at pochampad is about 299m
above mean sea level and the bed fall between the Manjira confluence and
Pochampad is about 1 in 3000.
Godavari Water
Disputes Tribunal (GWDT)
The Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) headed by
Justice Bachawat was constituted by the Government of India in April 1969.
After considering the matter, the Tribunal gave its award in July, 1980. In
fact, this award referred to a series of agreements among the party states.
Brief details of such agreements are given here. According to the award:
The agreement on Polavaram Project provides for diversion of
2,266 Mm3 of the Godavari Water from Polavaram Project to Krishna River
upstream of Vijayawada Anicut. The water thus diverted in the Krishna will be
shared among Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
Allocation
of Godavari water by GWDT among three states
State
|
Flow
|
|
In TMC
|
In MCM
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
45
|
1,274.4
|
Karnataka & Maharashtra
|
35
|
991.2
|
Total
|
80
|
2,265.6
|
The Inchampalli Multipurpose Project will be a joint venture
of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh and will be executed and
operated under the directions of a Tripartite Inter-State Control Board. The
cost of storage, power and benefits will be shared by these States in agreed
proportions. Andhra Pradesh is allowed to divert 2,407 Mm3 of waters from
Inchampalli Reservoir for its use. The remaining available water is to be used
for power generation at Inchampalli Power House. After hydropower generation,
Andhra Pradesh can use water in any manner.
As per the award any alteration, amendment or modification
to any of the provision of the Tribunal can be made by agreement between the
party States or by legislation of Parliament.
DISCUSSIONS OF 6.10.1975
A meeting between the chief ministers of Maharashtra and
Andhra Pradesh was held in Hyderabad on the 6th October 1975. The discussions
related to the clearance of the projects and the use of waters of Godavari
River and its tributaries. After discussions, the following points were agreed
to:
Maharashtra can use for their beneficial use all waters up
to the Paithan dam site on the Godavari and up to Siddheswar dam site on the
Purna.
(i) From the waters in the area of Godavari basin below the
Paithan dam site on the Godavari and
below the Siddeswar dam site on the Purna and below the Nizamsagar dam site on
the Manjra and up to Pochampad dam site on the Godavari, Maharashtra can
utilize waters not exceeding 1,700 Mm3 for new projects including any
additional use over and above the present sanctioned or cleared utilization, as
the case may be.
(ii) Andhra Pradesh can go ahead with building its Pochampad
Project with FRL 1,091 and MWL 1,093 and is free to utilize all remaining
waters up to the Pochampad dam site in any manner it chooses for its beneficial
use.
3. (i) In the Manjira
sub-basin above the Nizamsagar dam site, Maharashtra can utilize waters
not exceeding 623 Mm3 for new projects
including any additional use over and above the present sanctioned or cleared utilisation
as the case may be.
(ii) Andhra Pradesh can withdraw 113 Mm3 for drinking water
supply to Hyderabad city from their proposed Singur project on the Manjira.
(iii) Andhra Pradesh can construct Singur project with a
storage capacity of 850 Mm3. Andhra Pradesh can also use 1,443 Mm3 under
Nizamsagar project.
Maharashtra concurs with the agreement arrived at between
the States of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in regard to the use proposed by
Karnataka in the Manjira sub-basin upstream of the Nizamsagar dam site.
Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh will be free to use an
additional quantity of 8,496 Mm3 of water each below the Pochampad dam site for
new projects.
Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh agree in principle to the
taking up of the Inchampalli Project with FRL as commonly agreed to by the
interested States, viz., Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh agree to take up the joint
projects at the appropriate time with agreed utilization: Lendi Project, Lower
Penganga Project, and Pranhit Project, and to set up joint committees for this
purpose.
The States of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh agree that this
agreement will be furnished to the Government of India and a report will be
submitted before the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal at the appropriate time.
DISCUSSIONS OF 7.11.1975
In this meeting between the chief ministers of the Madhya
Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh held at New Delhi, discussions related to the
clearance of the projects and use of the water of Godavari River and its
tributaries. After discussions, the following points were agreed.
1. Madhya Pradesh
and Andhra Pradesh will be free to use an additional gross quantity of 8,496
Mm3 each, out of the water in the Godavari River and its tributaries below the
Pochampad Dam site for new projects.
2. Madhya Pradesh
concurs generally with the agreement between Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra on
6-10-1975. The quantity of the 8,496 Mm3 mentioned in clause I above will not
be in addition to 8,496 Mm3 already agreed between Andhra Pradesh and
Maharashtra.
3. In agreeing to
8,496 Mm3 referred to in clauses I and II above, for Andhra Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh on its part, has taken into account the estimated requirements within
the basin only.
4. Madhya Pradesh
and Andhra Pradesh agree in principle to the taking up of the Inchampalli
project with F.R.L., as commonly agreed to by the interested states, viz.,
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
5. It is also
agreed that Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh will consider the feasibility of
taking up the Inchampalli project as a joint project with costs and benefits
equitably shared amongst the above 3 States in accordance with a common
agreement.
6. Madhya Pradesh
agrees to the taking up of Taliperu project by Andhra Pradesh involving the use
of 142 Mm3 (Gross) of water out of the 8,496 Mm3 agreed to in Clause I and to
the submersion of river bed only in Madhya Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh agrees to
put up at its cost such protective measures as would be necessary in
consultation with Madhya Pradesh to prevent submersion of other areas in Madhya
Pradesh.
7. The States of
Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh agree that nothing in this agreement will be
treated as a concession by either state in respect of any of their contentions
in any other water dispute with any other state or with respect to the dispute
regarding the sharing of the balance of water in Godavari and its tributaries.
8. The States of
Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh agree that this agreement will be furnished
to the Government of India and they would be requested to expedite the
clearance of the projects. This Agreement will also be jointly filed before the
GWDT at the appropriate time.
DISCUSSIONS OF 9.12.1975
In the meeting between the chief ministers of Orissa and
Madhya Pradesh held at New Delhi, the discussions related to the use of waters
of Godavari River and the clearance of the projects of Orissa and Madhya
Pradesh. After discussions the following agreement was reached:
Pending final
allocation of the Godavari water, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa will be free to use
additional gross quantity of 8,496 Mm3 and 5,664 Mm3 respectively, out of the
water of the Goadvari basin below the Pochampad Dam site for new projects in
such manner as they deem fit.
In agreeing to 5,664 Mm3 referred to in Clause I for Orissa,
Madhya Pradesh on its part has taken into account the estimated requirements
within the basin only. All the utilization by Orissa and Madhya Pradesh
contemplated in the various Clauses shall be only as a part of the 5,664 Mm3
and 8,496 Mm3, respectively, agreed to in Clause I above. The States of Orissa
and Madhya Pradesh will not be entitled on the basis of the subsequent Clauses
to utilize in any way more than 5,664 Mm3 and 8,496 Mm3, respectively.
Below the dam sites of the Upper Indravati Project, as
proposed by Orissa, there is a catchment area of about 4,800 sq. km in the
Indravati sub-basin up to the Orissa border with Madhya Pradesh. From this
catchment there is some natural flow across the Jaura Nallah to Sabari (Kolab)
River. It was agreed that Orissa will ensure at its border with Madhya Pradesh
a flow of 1,274 Mm3 in the Indravati and its tributaries at 75% dependability
for use by Madhya Pradesh. In the years of shortage, the shortage will be
shared proportionately between the two states and the assurance of flow in the
Indravati and its tributaries, referred to above, will stand proportionately
reduced. Both the states agree to joint gauging at suitable points to ascertain
the yield data and to ensure the flow of 1,274 Mm3 at 75% dependability of the
proportionately reduced flow in years of shortage that has to flow below the
common border. The figure of 1,274 Mm3 is on the assumption of total yield of 5,777
Mm3 from the Indravati sub-basin in Orissa and 2,577 Mm3 utilization for the
Upper Indravati Project. If the assessment of 5,777 Mm3 is found to be high and
the correct figure is lower than 5,777 Mm3 and the utilization for the Upper
Indravati Project gets reduced from the figure of 2,577 Mm3 then the figure of
1,274 Mm3 will get reduced in the same proportion.
In view of the agreement incorporated in the above clauses,
Madhya Pradesh agrees to the clearance and execution of Upper Indravati
Project, as proposed and submitted by Orissa to the Government of India. Orissa
also agrees to the clearance and execution of Bodhghat Project, as may be
modified by Madhya Pradesh taking into account the water availability specified
in Clause III.
DISCUSSIONS OF 19.12.1975
On the basis of a series of discussions held between the
representatives of the States of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra
Pradesh, an agreement was arrived at regarding the sub-basin wise allocation of
the waters of the Godavari and its tributaries downstream of the Pochampad Dam
in the States of Andhra Pradesh, the projects therein and other allied matters
taking into consideration the allocations already agreed to.
Projects and Conflicts
1)
Polavaram Project
(Indirasagar)
Background on
Polavaram ( Interstate agreement)
Indirasagar Polavaram
an interstate project on river Godavari has been conceived as a part of
recommendations of Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT). GWDT finalized its
award in 1980 .The award identifies individual projects that can be taken up by
the co-basin states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh (including Chhattisgarh),
Orissa, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh (AP) on the main Godavari river as well as
its tributaries. As a part of the award, the states of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh and Orissa executed an agreement dated 02-04-1980 to enable clearance
of Polavaram Project to be undertaken by AP. The agreement provides for
construction of the project with a Full Reservoir Level of 150 Feet and with a
spillway discharging capacity of 36 Lakh Cusecs at pond level of 140 feet and
not less than 20 Lakh Cusecs at a pond level of 130 feet. In order to protect
the lands and properties above level of 150 feet, in Orissa and Chhattisgarh,
protective embankments with adequate drainage sluices have been provided at the
cost of the project. Relevant provisions of the agreement are reproduced below.
“Polavaram project
spillway shall be designed for a flood discharge capacity of 36 Lakh cusecs at
the pond level of 140 feet and not less than 20 lakh cusecs at pond level of
130 feet.
In order to protect
the lands and properties above 150 feet in the territory of Orissa likely to be
affected due to construction of Polavaram project, protective embankments with
adequate drainage sluices shall be constructed and maintained at the cost of Polavaram
project. However, the state of Orissa may exercise an option at the time of
construction of Polavaram project for compensation to land and property likely
to be affected above 150 feet as agreed in case of state of Madhya Pradesh (now
Chhattisgarh).
For damages or injury
to lands beyond 150 feet in the territory of Madhya Pardesh (now Chhattisgarh),
in any event, the state of Andhra Pradesh shall pay full compensation for such
damage or injury as may be assessed by the District Collector of the said
district of the state of Madhya Pradesh (now Chhatisgarh).
The matter of design
of the dam and its operation schedule shall be left to Central Water
Commission, which they shall decide keeping in view all the agreements between
the parties including the agreement of 2nd April 1980 filed today, as far as
practicable.”
Project in Brief
Indira Sagar
(Polavaram) project is located on river Godavari near Ramayyapet village of
Polavaram Mandal of West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. The project is
multipurpose major terminal reservoir project on river Godavari for development
of Irrigation, Hydropower and drinking water facilities to East Godavari,
Vishakhapatnam, West Godavari and Krishna districts of Andhra Pradesh. The
project will provide irrigation to 2.91 Lakh Hectares(CCA) and hydropower with
installed capacity of 960 MW apart from 23.44 TMC (663.7 MCM) drinking and
industrial water supply to Vishakhapatnam township and steel plant and
diversion of 80 TMC waters to river Krishna. The ultimate irrigation potential
of the project is 4.368 lakh ha and annual power generation will be 2369.43
million units. In addition, 540 villages will also be provided with drinking
water facilities in the command area.
The project implements
Godavari-Krishna link under Interlinking of rivers project. The project
envisages transfer of 80TMC of surplus Godavari water to river Krishna which
will be shared between AP, Karnataka and Maharashtra in proportion of 45 TMC by
AP and 35 TMC by Karnataka and Maharashtra as per the decision of the GWDT
award.
Status of appraisal
The project proposal
of Indira Sagar (Polavaram) Project was considered and accepted by the Advisory
Committee of MoWR in its meeting held on 20.01.2009 for Rs. 10151.04 crores at
SOR 2005-06.
Investment clearance
was accorded by Planning Commission vide their letter No. 2(168)/2004-WR dated
25 Feb. 2009.
Subsequently, Project
Authorities have submitted Revised Cost Estimate of Polavaram Project on
30.08.2010. This was examined and finalized by CWC for revised cost Rs.
16010.45 crore of SOR 2010-11. Revised Cost Estimate of Polavaram Project for
Rs. 16010.45 crore was accepted by the Advisory Committee of MoWR in its 108th
meeting held on 04.01.2011. Investment clearance from Planning Commission is
awaited. Planning Commission vide their letter no. 25(11)/NP/S/2009-WR dated
20.6.2012 addressed to Director, Prime Minister Office has intimated that
Planning Commission has decided to wait for further orders of Supreme Court in
the case filed by Government of Orissa against the project before taking any
action as the matter is sub-judice.
Alternative Design
Proposal
A proposal for taking up a series of barrages on Godavari
river prepared by Shri T. Hanumantha Rao, former Engineer-in-Chief, Andhra
Pradesh and UN consultant was received in Ministry of Water Resources through
Shri P. Govardhan Reddy, Hon`ble Member
of Parliament in December 2009. The series of barrages one below the other all
along the river has been termed as “Step Ladder Technology” by the author. The proposal was sent to CWC for examination.
The same was examined and the main observations of CWC were as under.
i)
Barrages are diversion structures for providing limited storage capacity
during the time when water is available in the river
ii) A barrage cannot fully meet water
requirements during non-monsoon period for Rabi irrigation and other purposes
like dependable power generation, diversion of water and supply of drinking
water to a city.
iii) The command area
under existing lift schemes is getting irrigation in Kharif only. For
providing irrigation supplies for Rabi
and perennial crops as well, State government of Andhra Pradesh has taken up Polavaram project.
Court cases
Government of Orissa
has filed original Suit No. 4 of 2007 and various Interlocutory Applications
(IAs) in the Hon’ble Supreme Court against clearances granted by various
Central Agencies including MoWR and against proceeding with the construction of
Polavaram project by Andhra Pradesh Government and making defendant no. 1 to
Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, defendant no. 2 to Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR),
Government of India, defendant No. 3 to Ministry of Environment and Forest
(MoEF) and defendant No.4 to Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA). No verdict or
stay-order against the construction of Polavaram project or against declaring
it National Project has been delivered by Hon'ble Supreme Court so far.
Direction of Hon’ble
Supreme Court
Hon’ble Supreme Court
vide its order dated 11.4.2011 has nominated Mr. M. Gopalakrishnan, Retired
Member of Central Water Commission(CWC) who along with Members of CWC make
inspection of Polavaram dam and submit a report to the Hon’ble Supreme Court
separately to find out whether construction of
Polavaram dam is carried out in terms of GWDT Award.
Mr. M. Gopalakrishnan
and Members of CWC have visited the Polavaram dam during 23-24thMay, 2011 and
separately submitted their report dated 14.6.2011 to the Hon’ble Supreme Court.
In both the reports of
Mr. M. Gopalakrishnan and Members of CWC, it was concluded that the planning of
Polavaram project and limited construction activities seen so far by the team
at the Polavaram dam site are in tune with approved project and GWDT
provisions.
Government of
Chhattisgarh has filed original Suit No. 3 of 2011 alongwith IA in the Hon’ble
Supreme Court against clearances granted by various Central Agencies including
MoWR and against proceeding with the construction of Polavaram project by
Andhra Pradesh Government and making defendant no. 1 to Govt. of Andhra
Pradesh, defendant no. 2(a) to Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), Government
of India, defendant No. 2(b) to Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF),
defendant No. 2(c) to Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and defendant no. 3 to
Central Water Commission.
Inclusion of Polavaram
as National Project
State Govt. had
submitted the proposal of the project for inclusion as National Project in
April, 2009 as per guidelines for National Projects issued by the Ministry of
Water Resources, Govt. of India. The
project was recommended by the High Powered Steering Committee for inclusion as
National Project in August, 2009. The
EFC memorandum was discussed in the EFC meeting held on 5.3.2010 and it was
decided that state govt. may work out realistic cost & implementation
programme of the project. The cost of the project has been updated as
Rs.16010.45 crore at 2010-11 price level. The revised cost of the project for
Rs 16010.45 crore (Price Level 2010-11) has been accepted by the Advisory
committee of MOWR in its 108th Meeting held on 4.1.2011. Investment clearance
from the Planning Commission for the revised cost is awaited.
Stop work order by
MoEF
Ministry of Environment
& Forest (MoEF) while responding to the special mention by Dr. K.V.P.
Ramchandra, M.P. in Rajya Sabha on 12th August, 2011 regarding demand to
conduct public hearing for Indira Sagar Polavaram Multipurpose Project in
Andhra Pradesh commented as under:
“Government of Andhra
Pradesh has so far not conducted the requisite public hearings in Orissa and
Chhattisgarh. Due to non compliance of this environment clearance condition,
the MoEF has issued stop work order for the project on 8th February, 2011….Since
public hearings in both the states are still pending, the stop work order for
the project continues. A final decision in this regard shall be taken after the
orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court”.
Government of Andhra
Pradesh vide its letter no. 14/ISPP/2013 dated 8.4.2013 has intimated that MoEF
on the representation of Andhra Pradesh, has decided to keep the stop work
order in abeyance for a period of six months during which efforts be made to
get the Public Hearings done in the States of Odisha and Chhattisgarh for the
protective embankments.
Source : http://wrmin.nic.in/
1)
Pranhita-Chevella Sujala Sravanthi Project (PCSSP)
The project
Estimated cost
: Rs 40,300 crore
Diversion of
water from Pranhita river : 160 TMC
Net Command
Area : 6.56 lakh hectare
Total Length of
the System : 1,055 km (Approx.)
Total Lift
Height : 493 M
Power
Requirement : 3,300 MW
Energy Required
: 8,250 Million Units
Land required
: 31,970 hectare
Cost /hectare
: Rs 2.2 lakh
Submergence of
forest: 1,879.40 ha
Date of
completion : 2017-18
The project, Dr
B R Ambedkar Pranhita-Chevella Sujala Sravanthi Project (PCSSP), was announced
in 2007 by the ruling Congress government of Andhra Pradesh which was then
headed by late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. The project is planned across the
Pranhita, a major tributary of the Godavari, at Tummidihetti in Adilabad
district’s Kouthala mandal. The major part of the project includes a barrage
and seven link channels for lifting and diverting 160 TMC water to irrigate
663,684 hectares in seven districts in the Telangana region. The government
claims 1,560 villages in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Medak, Warangal,
Rangareddy and Nalgonda districts will benefit from the project. Besides lift
irrigation, the project will also provide 30 TMC of drinking water to Hyderabad
city and 16 TMC to industries.
Though the
neighbours signed the agreement for the Pranhita project way back in 1975,
Andhra Pradesh did not take up any mega project in the 1980s and 1990s. In
2005, the then chief minister included the project in his pet Jalayagnam
project (86 projects at an estimated cost of Rs 1,85,000 crore). The state
government had faced severe criticism from all quarters for calling tenders and
giving Rs 1,150 crore to contractors as survey and investigation advance in
2007 even before getting the in-principle clearance from the Central Water
Commission (CWC). The CWC gave in-principle clearance only in April 2010. The
project was to be completed by December 31 this year.
There were
apprehensions that in the wake of the ongoing disputes over Godavari waters,
Maharashtra will backtrack. But Maharashtra’s principal secretary of water
resources in his communication to Adityanath Das, secretary, irrigation
(Telangana) said that ISB could be formed at the earliest. The ISB, which will
have chief ministers of both states, concerned ministers and officials, will
act as an overall in-charge of investigation, survey and execution of the
project.
As per the
communication, the ISB’s office will be located at Hyderabad. There is
provision for holding meetings in Mumbai, too. A standing committee headed by
secretary, irrigation, Andhra Pradesh, will be formed to guide the ISB. Apart
from this, a coordination committee will also be formed for implementing the
project.
Once the Board
is formed, Andhra Pradesh government hopes the project would be completed in
2017-18. But considering the huge amount of money and power required for the
project, it’s unlikely that the state would be able to complete the project in
five years. The estimated cost of the project has already escalated from Rs
38,500 crore to Rs 40,300 crore. Besides, the budget allocation for the project
in the past five years is only Rs 600-700 crore. Even if the state allocates Rs 1,000 crore a
year, it will take more than 40 years to complete the project. It is also not
clear from where the state will pool 3,300 MW power required for the project.
Source :
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
2)
Babhali, barrage of contention
The controversial
barrage, located in Nanded district, just 30 km from Andhra Pradesh’s border,
is expected to help Maharashtra irrigate 8,000 hectares in the district, and
provide drinking water to about 60 villages and towns. The project had received
clearance from the Central government in 1995, and the Maharashtra government
started construction in 2004.
The Godavari flows
from Nanded into the Sriram Sagar Project (SRSP) in Nizamabad district of
Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh moved the Supreme Court in 2006, contending that
if a dam was built upstream very close to this project it would affect the
water flow to SRSP and six northern districts—Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar,
Warangal, Nalgonda, Khammam and Medak—would be deprived of water for irrigation and drinking purposes.
The state argued that the barrage would affect 728,434 ha in SRSP area. It
petitioned the Supreme Court to direct Maharashtra to demolish the
construction.
But Maharashtra
opposed the plea of its neighbour saying that as per the agreement signed by
the two states on October 6, 1975, construction of projects for using its share
of water is its prerogative and the only cap is that the utilisation should not
exceed 60 thousand million cubic (tmc) feet (1 tmc equals 28.3 billion litres)
of water. As per the terms of the pact Maharashtra could utilise 60 tmc ft of
the Godavari waters while Andhra Pradesh could go ahead with building the
Sriram Sagar Project and utilise the balance water.
While refusing to
stall the Babli project, the court ordered the constitution of a three-member
committee to supervise the construction. The committee will have one
representative from the Central Water Commission (CWC) and one representative
each from Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, and the CWC representative will be
chairperson of the committee. The location of the supervisory panel office and
entire expenditure of the panel shall be decided and borne by Maharashtra.
The committee will
have the responsibility of ensuring that Maharashtra maintains the Babli
storage capacity of 2.74 tmc feet out of the allocation of 60 tmc ft given to
Maharashtra for new projects as per the 1975 agreement. The panel must see that
the gates of the barrage would remain lifted during monsoon period from July 1
to October 28. There should not be any obstruction to the natural flow of the
river during monsoon below the three dams, Paithan, Siddheswar and Nizamsagar,
towards SRSP in Andhra Pradesh.
The committee has to
also ensure that “during the non-monsoon season—from October 29 till the end of
June next year—the quantity of water which Maharashtra utilises for Babli
barrage does not exceed 2.74 tmc feet of which only 0.6 tmc feet forms the
common submergence of Pochampad reservoir and Babli barrage and Maharashtra
does not periodically utilise 2.74 tmc feet from time to time”.
Babhali is not a DAM,
It 's a Brrage.
Babhali barrage is well within the
provisions of GWDT.
Storage of Babhali barrage is only
2.74 TMC.
Total Storage of Babhali Barrage is
within the River Banks.
Total storage is against the gates
only.
The Gates will be lowerd by end of
october.
Babhali is mainly required for
drinking water supply to 58 villages
Common Storage is Only 0.60 TMC,
i.e. 0.54% of Total Storage of "SRSP"
Maharastra has broadly co-operated
with Andra Pradesh for Increasing Capacity of "SRSP" by 65 TMC by
allowing submergence of land in the territory of Maharashtra.
Hon,ble Supreme Court
on 28th February 2013 delivered its judgment in the Original Suit No. 1 of
2006, State of Andhra Pradesh Vs. State of Maharashtra & Ors. The operative
part of the judgment reads as follows.
“…a three member
supervisory committee is constituted. The committee shall have one
representative from the Central Water Commission and one representative each
from the two states, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The representative of
Central Water Commission shall be Chairman of the committee. The Committee
shall select the place for its office which shall be provided by
Maharashtra. Maharashtra shall bear the
entire expenditure of the Committee. The powers and functions of the
supervisory committee shall be as follows:
(i) The committee shall surprise (supervise)
the operation of the Babhali barrage.
(ii) The committee shall ensure that;
a) Maharashtra maintains Babhali barrage
storage capacity of 2.74 TMC of water out of the allocation of 60 TMC given to
Maharashtra for new projects under the agreement dated 06.10.1975
b) The gates of Babhali barrage remain lifted
during the monsoon season, i.e, July 1 to October 28 and there is no
obstruction to the natural flow of Godavari river during monsoon season below
the three dams mentioned in Clause II (i) of the agreement dated 06.10.1975
towards Pochampad dam. [As per the
Clause “From the waters in the area of Godavari basin below Paithan dam site on
the Godavari and below Siddeswar dam site on the Purna and below Nizamsagar dam
site on the Manjra and up to Pochampad dam site on the Godavari, Maharashtra
can utilize waters not exceeding 60 TMC for new projects including any
additional use over and above the present sanctioned or cleared utilization, as
the case may be”- not part of Original Judgment.]
c) During the non-monsoon season i.e., from
October 29 till the end of June next year, the quantity of water which Maharashtra utilizes for Babhali barrage does
not exceed 2.74 TMC of which only 0.6 TMC forms the common submergence of
Pochampad reservoir and Babhali barrage.
d) Maharashtra does not periodically utilize
2.74 TMC from time to time.
e) Maharashtra releases 0.6 TMC of water to
Andhra Pradesh on 1st March every year.
f) Maharashtra maintains the capacity of
Balegaon barrage to 1.5 TMC. Out of this 0.9 TMC is adjusted from sanctioned
utilization of Vishnupuri project upstream and 0.6 TMC remains the intercepted
storage of Babhali barrage.”
3)
Sriram Sagar Project (SRSP) (Pochampadu Project)
Construction of this
project began on July 26, 1963 after the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru
had laid the foundation. He drove to the project site by road directly from
Srisailam after inaugurating the project there. The Pochampad project
constructed with dung lime and metal took 20 years for total completion.
As many as 35 villages
were affected with its construction. Among them 16 were fully submerged, seven
partially and five villages suffered back water problem. Seven villages lost
their agriculture land. Thus, the project took the present shape when people of
35 villages sacrificed all their things.
Even today people of
the submerged villages keep making rounds to the government offices for payment
of compensation as they initially were not fully justified.
A noteworthy point
here is that though the people of the district lost everything they did not get
much benefit out of the project. They are able to use only two tmcf of its
water through Lakshmi canal as it was built at a higher place.
Now the project is
able to provide water for irrigation to 16 lakh acres in Adilabad, Karimnagar,
Nizamabad, Warangal and Nalgonda districts. In the recent past the project was
in the media now and then as Babli was built upstream in Maharashtra by its
Government, posing threat to the existence of the SRSP.
The project with a
capacity of 90 tmcf of water has three canals-Saraswathi, Kakatiya and Lakshmi.
Besides, a flood flow canal was also dug later on to discharge flood water to
downstream districts.
Civil Scholar is a Blog by Aravind Samala on Construction, Environment, Technology, Trends and Innovation.