The TDP and TRS, which filed writ petitions in the Supreme Court against the “illegal” construction OF projects on Godvari river at Babli and other places in Maharashtra, will present their arguments before the court in October.
The final hearing in the case by a three-member division bench began on Wednesday and is likely to be completed on October 3.
Andhra Pradesh’s counsel Parasaran told the bench that the state did not believe the words of Maharashtra anymore and wanted the court to protect the interests of Andhra Pradesh, especially the drought-hit Telangana region. Maharashtra, claiming to utilise 2.74 tmcft water for drinking water needs, built a dam on the Godavari at Babli but was trying to utilise around 60 tmcft of water, he said.
The Maharashtra advocate refuted it and said the would use only 2.74 tmcft from the Babli reservoir for srinking needs. In any case, Maharashtra would not draw more than 60 tmcft of Godavari water, its allocated share, he said.
At this point, the judges wanted to know if the two states would agree to setting up of a regulatory authority to monitor Godavari water sharing. The Maharashtra lawyer agreed to the suggestion but Parasaran wondered why Maharashtra was insisting on Babli’s construction if it wanted to use only 2.74 tmcft of water for drinking needs. At this one of the judges assured that the rights of Andhra Pradesh, a riparian state, would be protected.
The TDP and TRS alleged that the government failed to present effective arguments before the apex court on the Babli project issue.
“After the Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka government advocates finish their arguments, our (TRS) advocate will present his,” TRS senior leader B Vinod Kumar told Express. He, along with TDP’s E Dayakar Rao and Congress’ Madhu Yashki Goud, witnessed the proceedings.