Hyderabad, July 8 (Namaste Telangana): The Krishna River water dispute tribunal has extended its deadline until March 31, 2024. The Central Water Resources Department has issued orders to this effect, allowing the states to utilize the water resources of the Krishna River basin until the specified date. In 2004, the Central government established the Brijesh Kumar tribunal to resolve the Krishna river water disputes. After announcing its award in 2013, the Andhra Pradesh government approached the Supreme Court with objections. Amidst these legal battles, the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh took place. As part of this process, the Central government transferred the responsibility of resolving the Krishna river water disputes to the Brijesh Kumar tribunal.
Since its completion, the award has been pending for declaration since 2014. The Central government has been delaying the announcement of the tribunal’s verdict. The recently scheduled date for the tribunal to announce its decision is August 1. However, discussions are still ongoing between the two Telugu-speaking states regarding the water sharing issues. In this context, the tribunal is considering extending its deadline once again while the Central government makes a final decision.
The Krishna River, one of the major rivers in India, originates in Maharashtra and flows through Telangana and Andhra Pradesh before joining the Bay of Bengal. The river is crucial for irrigation purposes and supports agriculture in these states. However, disputes over water sharing have been a longstanding issue between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Both states are heavily dependent on the Krishna River for their agricultural needs.
The extension of the tribunal’s deadline provides temporary relief to both states as they continue negotiations and await a final verdict on water sharing. It is hoped that a fair and equitable solution will be reached, ensuring sustainable utilization of the Krishna River’s water resources for the benefit of all stakeholders.
