Odisha has locked horns over river water with multiple neighboring states. What are the specifics of these conflicts, and what is their current status? This will be explored in a three-part series.
OdishaPlus Bureau
The Vamsadhara Dispute is an important and ongoing conflict between the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, mainly focused on the sharing of water from the Vamsadhara River. The dispute began with the construction of dams and irrigation projects by both states, raising concerns about water availability and distribution.
Andhra Pradesh has been accused of redirecting water that Odisha believes belongs to them, while Odisha has expressed concerns about how these projects affect its water supply and agricultural needs. Over the years, the conflict has intensified, with both states seeking help from the central government and exploring various legal options to find a resolution. The situation is further complicated by the involvement of local farmers and communities who rely on the river for their livelihoods.
The Vamsadhara River flows eastward, starting in the Kalahandi district of Odisha and covering about 254 kilometers before it reaches the Bay of Bengal at Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. This river has been the focus of a long-standing dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, mainly regarding water sharing and infrastructure developments.
The disagreement arises from the states’ competing demands for the river’s water, which is estimated to be around 115 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) each year at the Gotta Barrage.
In 1962, both states agreed to divide this water equally. Andhra Pradesh has initiated projects such as the Gotta Barrage, completed in 1977, and the proposed Neradi Barrage to make use of its share for irrigation, especially in the Srikakulam district. However, Odisha has expressed concerns about these projects, worrying about potential land submergence and the effects on its water supply.
A major disagreement centers around the Neradi Barrage, which Andhra Pradesh plans to construct 48 kilometers upstream from the Gotta Barrage to irrigate more than 100,000 acres. Odisha is against this project, stating it would flood 106 acres of land in the Rayagada and Gajapati districts and alter the river’s flow, risking the drying up of areas downstream and reducing groundwater levels.
Additionally, Odisha has raised concerns about Andhra Pradesh’s side weir built at Katragada, arguing it was constructed without proper consultation and could disturb the riverbed.
The conflict intensified in 2006 when Odisha complained to the Central Government, citing the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act of 1956. This resulted in the establishment of the Vamsadhara Water Disputes Tribunal in 2010, led by Justice Mukundakam Sharma. In a draft ruling issued in 2017, the tribunal allowed Andhra Pradesh to build the Neradi Barrage and the Katragada side weir, reaffirming the 50:50 water-sharing arrangement.
The final report in 2021 confirmed the need for annual proportional sharing, even during challenging years, and instructed Odisha to assist in acquiring land for the barrage. Andhra Pradesh was tasked with compensating farmers in Odisha who were affected and sealing the Katragada side weir once the Neradi Barrage became operational.
However, the implementation of the tribunal’s decisions has been slow. Odisha has hesitated to provide the required land, while Andhra Pradesh has considered other options, such as transferring water from the Gotta Barrage to the Hiramandalam reservoir.
Discussions between the Chief Ministers of the two states, including those scheduled for November 2021, have sought to address these challenges, but progress has been limited.
The conflict highlights larger issues in managing rivers between states in India, where there are legal structures in place, but collaboration and implementation frequently fall short.
The Vamsadhara conflict reveals a struggle between the development priorities of Andhra Pradesh, which focuses on irrigation, and Odisha’s worries about land and water security. As a result, the river’s full potential remains untapped, with substantial water flowing unused into the sea.
