Vamsadhara tribunal allows A.P. to build Neradi barrage

Guidelines framed for sharing of water with Odisha

The Vamsadhara Water Dispute Tribunal (VWDT) permitted Andhra Pradesh to construct the Neradi barrage across the Vamsadhara with ancillary structures, subject to certain conditions. The tribunal on Monday said that the barrage can have a right head sluice of 8,000 cusecs of design capacity for meeting the requirements of A.P. and have a Left Head Sluice (LHS) to cater to the requirements of Odisha below the Neradi barrage. The cost of LHS is to be borne by Odisha. Further, the VWDT declared that the yield of the Vamsadhara at Gotta Barrage, which is 115 tmc ft, should be equally shared by A.P. with Odisha, and since the inter-State agreement between the States envisaged sharing of water on a 50:50 basis, the same principle is to be followed in a year of distress.