The Supreme Court has today asked the Central Government for holding talks about the Polavaram Dam and Godavari river water dispute between the States of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The senior Advocate Gopal Subramaniam submitted that the project which has being undertaken by the Andhra Pradesh is in violation of Justice Bachawat Panel recommendations, as it puts the residents in the state of Odisha under risk of being submerged.
Replying back, the Andhra Pradesh counsel submitted that there has not been a consensus between the states and Rs 30,000 crores has been spent so far.
A bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Vikram Nath said that such that it is a never-ending exercise. The bench said that whether the project is made or remains incomplete, the costs will keep going up.
Mr CS Vaidya Nathan has said the project has gone beyond what was envisaged. The Court, however suggested that,
“the consensus between the states can be established if the states begin by having a meeting of the Chief Secretaries. Another possible resort can be if at political level the Chief Ministers meet”
The Court ordered after due consideration and hearing all parties available “We put it to the learned counsels that it would be in the fitness of things if Centre takes initiative in calling a meeting of all stakeholders so the projects can be considered….Pioneering role needs to be played by Jal Shakti Ministry and the Ministry of Environment meeting must be held at appropriate high level.
The Court said that Chief Ministers can meet to iron out the issues. Meetings should be held every month and the reports must be submitted to the Supreme Court.
The matter now shall be taken up for hearing on 7th December 2022.
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