VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S.

Jagan Mohan Reddy has written to his Odisha counterpart, Naveen Patnaik, seeking to fix all water-related concerns in between the two states.Reddy reminded Patnaik that construction of Neradi Barrage across the river Vamsadhara together with required secondary structures is permissible according to Vamsadhara Water Disputes Tribunal (VWDT) order.

The letter states, I would like to give your attention that the Vamsadhara Water Disputes Tribunal (VWDT) pronounced its last order and decision under area 5( 2) of ISRWD Act, 1956 on 13.09.2017.

The Tribunal order clearly allowed the State of Andhra Pradesh to use up construction of Neradi Barrage across the river Vamsadhara along with essential supplementary structures.

It has likewise allowed building of Left Head Sluice on the left side of Neradi Barrage to serve the requirements of the State of Odisha also.The building and construction of Neradi Barrage is necessary and also in the best interest of both the states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh as it deals with the alarming requirements of drinking and irrigation water requirements of the people of the backwards and drought vulnerable areas of Srikakulam District in the State of Andhra Pradesh and Gajapathi District in the State of Odisha.

Farmers of both the states in basic and farmers of my state in particular are eagerly awaiting conclusion of the job.

About 75% of floodwater i.e.

nearly 80 TMC is yearly going waste into the sea.

Water is the most crucial element for the conservation of life and being a limited product, if not handled effectively, will lead to scarcities in near future, the letter said.He recalled that Odisha has actually filed clarification prior to the VWDT and Special Leave Petition prior to the Supreme Court where it has raised some issues, mainly pertaining to the function of Supervisory Committee.

He mentioned that these problems might be amicably solved before the start of operation of Neradi Barrage.

He prompted Odisha's cooperation in the building and construction of the barrage by accepting publication of the VWDT's 13.09.2017 decision in the main Gazette in terms of Section 6 (1) of ISRWD Act 1956 for making it possible for building and construction of Neradi Barrage in order to relieve the suffering of the citizens of the most backward areas of Srikakulam district in AP and Gajapathi district in Odisha.

Reddy hoped that Patnaik would agree for a conference between the 2 in order to resolve the pending concerns referring to the 2 states.