The Union Jal Shakti Ministry recently announced that the Centre will set the jurisdictions for the Krishna and Godavari River Management Boards (KMRB and GRMB). Established under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act (APRA), 2014, these autonomous bodies are responsible for managing the waters of the Krishna and Godavari rivers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. This decision was made during the Apex Council Meeting, an event aimed at rectifying interstate water-related disputes.
About the Apex Council
Formed by the Central Government as per the APRA, 2014, the Apex Council oversees the operations of both KMRB and GRMB. Comprising the Union Jal Shakti Minister and the Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, this council had its second meeting since 2016 to resolve issues concerning the execution of irrigation projects and water sharing from the Krishna and Godavari rivers.
Jurisdiction of KRMB and GRMB
Six years post the formation of KRMB and GRMB, their jurisdictions remain undefined due to differing opinions between the states. However, the Centre has decided to proceed with notifying their jurisdictions, recognizing that a consensus is not required as per APRA-2014.
Project Reports and Water Sharing Mechanism
Both states have agreed to submit Detailed Project Reports (DPR) of new projects in the river basins for approval and authorization by the Apex Council. In accordance with APRA-2014, both KRMB and GRMB should technically assess and approve these reports. Further, a mechanism will be established to define the share of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in the Krishna and Godavari waters. There is also a plan to shift the headquarters of the Krishna River Management Board to Andhra Pradesh as mandated by APRA-2014.
Withdrawal of Supreme Court Case
In relation to river water sharing, the Telangana Chief Minister has agreed to retract the case filed in the Supreme Court, permitting the Centre to refer the issues to the Krishna Godavari tribunal.
Description of Godavari and Krishna Rivers
The Godavari river starts at Trimbakeshwar near Nasik in Maharashtra and traverses approximately 1465 km before ending into the Bay of Bengal. It drains into Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha with small parts in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Union territory of Puducherry. Its tributaries include Pravara, Purna, Manjra, Penganga, Wardha, Wainganga, Pranhita, Indravati, Maner and Sabri. The Krishna river, the second largest river in peninsular India after Godavari, originates near Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra. Covering a distance of 1300 km, it journeys through Maharashtra, North Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, finally emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Its tributaries are Tungabhadra, Mallaprabha, Koyna, Bhima, Ghataprabha, Yerla, Warna, Dindi, Musi and Dudhganga.
Inter-State River Water Disputes
Article 262 of the Constitution entails the adjudication process for inter-state water disputes. Two enacted laws concerning these disputes are the River Boards Act (1956) and the Inter-State Water Disputes Act (1956). The former allows the Central government to establish river boards for interstate river and river valley regulation and development. The latter empowers the Central government to form an ad hoc tribunal for resolving disputes between states concerning inter-state river or river valley waters. The verdict of the tribunal is final, and no court, including the Supreme Court, has the jurisdiction to interfere with a dispute referred to such a tribunal.
