Whether a state is an upstream state of an interstate River or a downstream state can hardly be a relevant issue. What matter is how efficient is the government of the state. We have experienced the performance of state of Odisha in respect of the Mahanadi where Odisha is the downstream state. I discuss below the case of Vansadhara River where the state of Odisha is the upstream state and has the bulk of the ayacut area (83%)
Let us see how Odisha has failed to utilise its share of water of the Vansadhara River and how Andhra Pradesh has been actively using its share for development of agriculture in the state.
VANSADHARA RIVER’ flowing through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh is an important East‐flowing river originating just South‐West of Lanjigarh Village of Kalahandi District in Odisha at an elevation of about 1300 Meters above sea level. The river flows for a total length of about 265 Kms., out of which 154 Kms. of length lies in Orissa, whereas remaining 82 Kms. lies in Andhra Pradesh before it falls into the sea. Approximately 29 Kms. length of the river forms the common boundary between Orissa and Andhra Pradesh as it runs through both the States.
The River has a catchment area of 10830 Sq. Kms. of which 8960 Sq. Kms. (82.7%) lies in Orissa and the remaining 1870 Sq. Kms. (17.3%) lies in Andhra Pradesh. From the date available, it has been estimated that the yield of Vansadhara river at Gotta Reservoir is 115.00 TMC. The requirement of Andhra Pradesh for Gotta Irrigation Project and Neradi anicut is 47.4 TMC. The total quantity of water for the existing irrigation in Andhra Pradesh is about 7 TMC; so the total requirement of water of Andhra Pradesh for the existing irrigation and Projects which are now being taken up is 54.5 TMC. The requirements of water for the projects in Orissa State have been roughly estimated to be 55 TMC”.
Thus the yield of Vansadhara basin is just sufficient to meet the requirements of both the States. The water of Vansadhara basin may consequently be utilized by both Andhra Pradesh and Orissa on 50 : 50 basis.
The Tribunal had noted that the river Vansadhara originates in Odisha and runs for about 154 Kms. within the state. and thereafter for the duration of such a long distance of 154 Kms.but there are only couple of noticeable irrigation projects constructed by the State of Orissa and there is also no existing major irrigation project which has been undertaken by the State of Orissa as of today even between 154 to 183 Kms. which is the joint area between both the States.
The River Tribunal headed by Justice MK Sharma decided in the Award on December 17, 2013 that " There is no dispute with regard to the fact that on an average at least 81.91 TMC of the river water is going to the sea yearly. Instead of wasting that much of water which goes to the sea, if the State of Andhra Pradesh desires to utilize only 8 TMC of water by the same through the Side Weir and that also only for a short period of about 60 days in a year and that also in monsoon time, the same would not in any manner adversely affect the interest of the State of Orissa, for the total quantity of water being so used by taking it through the Side Weir will only be about 8 TMC".
*******
21st September, 2016
Let us see how Odisha has failed to utilise its share of water of the Vansadhara River and how Andhra Pradesh has been actively using its share for development of agriculture in the state.
VANSADHARA RIVER’ flowing through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh is an important East‐flowing river originating just South‐West of Lanjigarh Village of Kalahandi District in Odisha at an elevation of about 1300 Meters above sea level. The river flows for a total length of about 265 Kms., out of which 154 Kms. of length lies in Orissa, whereas remaining 82 Kms. lies in Andhra Pradesh before it falls into the sea. Approximately 29 Kms. length of the river forms the common boundary between Orissa and Andhra Pradesh as it runs through both the States.
The River has a catchment area of 10830 Sq. Kms. of which 8960 Sq. Kms. (82.7%) lies in Orissa and the remaining 1870 Sq. Kms. (17.3%) lies in Andhra Pradesh. From the date available, it has been estimated that the yield of Vansadhara river at Gotta Reservoir is 115.00 TMC. The requirement of Andhra Pradesh for Gotta Irrigation Project and Neradi anicut is 47.4 TMC. The total quantity of water for the existing irrigation in Andhra Pradesh is about 7 TMC; so the total requirement of water of Andhra Pradesh for the existing irrigation and Projects which are now being taken up is 54.5 TMC. The requirements of water for the projects in Orissa State have been roughly estimated to be 55 TMC”.
Thus the yield of Vansadhara basin is just sufficient to meet the requirements of both the States. The water of Vansadhara basin may consequently be utilized by both Andhra Pradesh and Orissa on 50 : 50 basis.
The Tribunal had noted that the river Vansadhara originates in Odisha and runs for about 154 Kms. within the state. and thereafter for the duration of such a long distance of 154 Kms.but there are only couple of noticeable irrigation projects constructed by the State of Orissa and there is also no existing major irrigation project which has been undertaken by the State of Orissa as of today even between 154 to 183 Kms. which is the joint area between both the States.
The River Tribunal headed by Justice MK Sharma decided in the Award on December 17, 2013 that " There is no dispute with regard to the fact that on an average at least 81.91 TMC of the river water is going to the sea yearly. Instead of wasting that much of water which goes to the sea, if the State of Andhra Pradesh desires to utilize only 8 TMC of water by the same through the Side Weir and that also only for a short period of about 60 days in a year and that also in monsoon time, the same would not in any manner adversely affect the interest of the State of Orissa, for the total quantity of water being so used by taking it through the Side Weir will only be about 8 TMC".
*******
21st September, 2016
No comments:
Post a Comment