Andhra gets biggest share in Krishna ruling

Taking the final decision on dividing the surplus water of River Krishna, the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal on Thursday allocated the biggest share of water to Andhra Pradesh while enhancing the share of Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Now, Andhra Pradesh will get 1,001 tmc, Karnataka 911 tmc and Maharashtra 666 tmc of water from the river. Earlier, the 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 this order, 524 metres of the dam height could be used to store the Krishna, compared to 519 metres earlier. The Centre will set up the Krishna Water Implementation Board after three months for implementation of the award.

“The states that want to file a review or seek explanation on the award can do so within the next three months,” Justice Kumar said.

It is understood that the award will be valid till May 31, 2050. Since the Tribunal has the force and decree of the Supreme Court, no appeal against the award can be filed in any other court except the tribunal itself.