Babli project

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The Babli project / barrage is a controversial reservoir project being constructed by Maharashtra across the river Godavari, disputed by Telangana. [1] The Supreme Court of India delivered a ruling after seven years in favour of Maharashtra with the Andhra Pradesh government expected to appeal against it. [2]

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History

The dispute arises from the fact that S.B. Chavan and Jalagam Vengal Rao reached an agreement in October 1975, which was later made part of the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) Award. As per the terms of the pact, Maharashtra could utilise 60 tmcft (thousand million cubic feet) of Godavari water while Andhra Pradesh could go ahead with building the Sriram Sagar Project (SRSP) and utilise the rest of the water.[ citation needed ]

Water Allocation

Telangana contended that Maharashtra has used up its quota in course of time by building four projects. Yet, in an action without precedent, Maharashtra began construction of the Babli project on the foreshores of SRSP and many small projects upstream. [3]

Eighteen lakh acres under the SRSP ayacut in the Telangana state will become barren if Maharashtra is allowed to have its way.

As per a report, [4] dated 30 Jan 2012 even when Andhra Pradesh is waging a legal battle against Maharashtra's Babli barrage and eleven other barrages across the Godavari river, Maharashtra has agreed to Andhra Pradesh's proposal for constituting an Inter State Board (ISB) for implementing the Rs 403 billion mega Pranahita Chevella lift irrigation scheme. With this green signal, Andhra Pradesh has overcome a major hurdle in making its dream project a reality.

2013 Supreme Court ruling

The Supreme Court ruled [5] in favour of Maharashtra, with safeguards contained in the judgment included the stipulation to open Babli gates during the monsoon period (July to October ) to allow inflows to SRSP. The Union Cabinet on 17 October 2013 gave its approval for Constitution of the 3-Members Supervisory Committee on the Babhali Barrage to implement the directions of the Supreme Court. [6]

See also

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Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal

Government of India (GoI) constituted a common tribunal on 10 April 1969 to solve the river water utilization disputes about the river basin states of Godavari and Krishna rivers under the provisions of Interstate River Water Disputes Act – 1956. The common tribunal was headed by Sri RS Bachawat as its chairman with Sri DM Bhandari and Sri DM Sen as its members. Godavari river basin spreads through the states of Telangana (TS), Maharashtra (MR), Orissa, old Madhya Pradesh {later bifurcated into present Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Chhattisgarh}, Karnataka (K) and Andhra Pradesh (AP). Krishna river basin states Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh insisted on the quicker verdict as it had become more expedient for the construction of irrigation projects in Krishna basin. So the of Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) could not proceed till the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal final verdict was submitted to GoI on 27 May 1976.

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Sadarmat Barrage Dam in Ponkal village, Mamda mandal, Nirmal district, Telangana

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References

  1. "Archive News". The Hindu. 10 December 2008. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  2. "SC deals Babli blow to Telangana farmers". The New Indian Express. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  3. "Barrages built on Marathwada rivers hold 11.3 TMC water" . Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  4. "Latest news, opinion, analysis on babli project, Videos, photos, magazine stories". Down To Earth. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  5. "Supreme Court verdict on Babhali project dispute". February 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  6. "Babli verdict: Andhra Pradesh to file review petition in SC if farmers suffer loss". The Hindu. 2 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2021.

Coordinates: 18°51′12″N77°49′14″E / 18.85333°N 77.82056°E / 18.85333; 77.82056