Inter-State Water Disputes : The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) gave its judgment

After a long wait the Verdict has been delivered by the Inter-State Water Dispute Tribunal, The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal,  in dividing the surplus water of river Krishna between  AP, Karnataka and Maharashtra. According to the verdict, Andhra Pradesh will get 1,001 TMC, Karnataka 911 TMC and Maharashtra 666 TMC of water from the river. Were the earlier allocation was 811 TMC for Andhra PRadesh, 734 TMC for Karnataka and 585 TMC for Maharashtra.

The Tribunal headed by Justice Brijesh Kumar also allowed more water to be stored in the Almati Dam in Karnataka. With which, 524 metres of the dam height could be used to store the Krishna water from its earlier 519 metre. The tribunal has also asked all three states not to divert the water.

The Centre will set up the Krishna Water Implementation Board after three months for implementation of the award.

What is KWDT? Why/When it is formed?

The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal was constituted on 2nd April, 2004 for judgment of the dispute relating to sharing of waters of Inter-State River Krishna and river valleys thereof. Shri Justice Brijesh Kumar, Judge of Supreme Court of India (now retired) is the Chairman of the Tribunal and Shri Justice S. P. Srivastava, Judge of the Allahabad High Court (now retired) and Shri Justice D.K. Seth, Judge of the Kolkata High Court (now retired) are Members of the Tribunal.

The KWDT passed orders on June 9, 2006 on the Interim Relief Application filed by the party States of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh declining to give interim relief as sought in the application and at the same time indicating certain norm with a view to facilitate adjudication of the dispute before the Tribunal. Subsequently, State of Andhra Pradesh filed Interlocutory Application under Section 5(3) of the ISRWD Act, 1956 seeking further explanation/guidance on the Order of the Tribunal of June 9, 2006. The Tribunal in its hearing held in September and October, 2006 has framed 29 of issues for adjudication of the dispute before it. Further hearing of the Tribunals is continuing. The terms of tribunal has been extended up to April 1st, 2009 as per the provisions of ISRWD Act, 1956 and the tribunal is to give its decision & report by that time.