Verdict unlikely to end Krishna water dispute

New Delhi: After 43 years, hundreds of hearings and the spending of over Rs 100 crores, the verdict on the Krishna River Water Dispute is out. One of the oldest and the biggest inter state river water disputes in India - sharing of the Krishna river water among Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh comes to an end - at least on paper.

The second Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal constituted by the Centre, distributed the water among all three riparian states in the Deccan plateau.

Andhra Pradesh has got the lion's share of 1001 TMC FT of water, Karnataka got the second highest 911 TMC FT and Maharashtra got 666 TMC FT of water in the river. The surplus water has also been distributed among all three states.

"They have tried to bring justice to all three states," said Irrigation Minister Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar.

Even though Andhra has got maximum water, the tribunal verdict has actually benefitted Karnataka. The final judgement has allowed Karnataka to increase the height of Alamatti dam in north Karnataka from the present 519 MTs to 524 MTs. Both Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have been opposing it on various grounds.

"This has somewhat vindicated the stand of Karnataka. Finally we have got justice," said Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa

Reducing of dependability from 75 per cent to 65 per cent is not in the interest of the lower region. And sharing of surplus water is also not in the interest of lower region," said Andhra Pradesh Irrigation Minister Ponnalla Lakshmaiah.

The dispute is unlikely to end with the Tribunal's verdict as the stake is very high for all three states and river Krishna provides water to one third of each state.

If all of them don't oppose it, Tribunal's judgement would be ratified by the Parliament and it can be reviewed only in 2050. Will all three major states involving in the dispute decide to bury the issue and move on? They still have two more months to decide.