Andhra CM hails VWDT order allowing construction of Neradi barrage on Vamsadhara River

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday hailed Vamsadhara Water Disputes Tribunal (VWDT) order allowing his state to construct the Neradi barrage on the Vamsadhara River.

In a blow to Odisha government, the VWDT on Wednesday permitted Andhra Pradesh to construct the Neradi barrage on the inter-state river.

The Chief Minister also asked Odisha to cooperate in the matter for the benefit of the farmers.

Addressing media here, Naidu said, "Water tribunal gave verdict in favour of Andhra Pradesh on Neradi barrage on Vamsadhara river. Odisha at first accepted the barrage, but later opposed the project. Now all the obstacles are cleared. With this 50 tmc of water will be available for Srikaulam district. It would benefit almost 50 lakh acres of land. On the basis of this barrage, we will take steps so that backward district of Srikaulam will get stabilized irrigation water. We will link Vamsadhara and Nagavali rivers too. We request Odisha to cooperate so that farmers of both states will be benefited."

The three-member tribunal, chaired by Justice Mukundakam Sharma, also ordered constitution of a supervisory committee to oversee implementation of its decisions.

Declaring the yield of the river at the Gotta barrage as 115 tmc ft, the VWDT said it would be shared by both states on a 50:50 basis.

The VWDT also directed the Odisha to acquire the 106 acres of land required for the barrage project and hand it over to Andhra Pradesh within a year.

The Vamsadhara river originates in Odisha.

Odisha has been opposing construction of structures on the inter-state river by Andhra Pradesh since 2006 citing that its water needs would be affected by them.