Krishna dispute

Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) is a tribunal set up by the government of India in 1969 under the Interstate River Water Disputes Act of 1956 to resolve the disputes between the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over sharing of Krishna river water. The KWDT I was headed by R. S Bachawat, a former judge of the Supreme Court.

The Krishna River is the second biggest river in peninsular India. It originates near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra from the statue of a cow in a temple. It then runs for a distance of 303 km in Maharashtra, 480 km through the breadth of North Karnataka and the rest of its 1300 km journey in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh before it empties into the Bay of Bengal.

The river basin[1] is 257,000 km2 and the States of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh contributes 68,800 km2 (26.8%), 112,600 km2 (43.8%) 

The newly formed Telangana state is fourth riparian state in the Krishna river basin. The state wants the central government to start again the tribunal proceeding afresh as it was not party to the earlier KWDT1 and KWDT2 adjudications.[38] Karnataka and Maharashtra are opposing the tribunal proceeding afresh and state that the extension of the tribunal period is only for resolving the water disputes between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states.[39] The extended KWDT2 decided to confine redistribution of water between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states only.[40][41]

Water import into Krishna basinEdit

Main article: Interstate River Water Disputes Act

Water import from other rivers to the Krishna basin is governed by clause XIV B of the final order of KWDT I in the absence of any agreement between the riparian states. Recently, Andhra Pradesh started transfer of Godavari water through Polavaram right bank canal with the help of Pattiseema lift for the water use in Krishna delta, etc..[42] Telangana state is also transferring and using Godavari water for the needs of Hyderabad city water supply from Singoor project, Manjira project and Yellampalli projects. 80% of the Godavari water used for the requirements of Hyderabad city is available as regenerated water and is being used for irrigation purpose in Krishna basin area of Telangana as per clause VII A of the final order of KWDT I.[43] Also, Telangana state is transferring Godavari water from Sriram Sagar and Devadula projects for irrigation purpose in its Krishna basin area. Pranahita Chevella lift irrigation scheme, Dummugudem Lift Irrigation Scheme in Telangana are also under construction to transfer additional Godavari water to its Krishna basin area. Karnataka is also constructing projects to transfer Mandovi and Netravati rivers water to its Krishna basin area.[44] A new tribunal is to be constituted to resolve the sharing of additional water available in the river basin among the riparian states as per clause XIV B of the final order of KWDT I.[43]