River Godavari Brief projects-pattiseema
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.
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