Transboundary Water Institutions

Summary of the Order/Judgment

A petition was filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India for an appropriate writ, direction or order, restraining Karnataka from constructing the Mini Hydro Power Project at Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS) by quashing and cancelling the Power Project. Direction was also sought to regulate water at RDS anicut and to ensure smooth flow of water in the RDS canal to the extent of full allocated water of 15.9 TMC to the State of Andhra Pradesh. The petitioner also contended that due to the project, sufficient water for drinking purpose and for irrigation facilities was not available to the residents and farmers of District Mehboobnagar in Andhra Pradesh. Petitioners further contended that the bar envisaged by Section 11 of the Inter State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 would not cover cases of private individuals approaching the Court pro bono publico. The Court held that the petition could not be entertained, as barred by section 11 of the 1956 Act, as the matter falls under the ambit of water dispute. Further, the question of construction of the Mini Hydel Project was sub judice before the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal constituted under the Act. Hence, the petition was dismissed. Download PDF

Constituted through an inter-state agreement among MP, UP, and Bihar, it supervises the construction, operation, and water sharing of the Bansagar Dam Project on the Sone River.

Set up by a mutual agreement between MP and UP, it manages the Rajat Sagar (Rajat Dam) at Rajghat on the Betwa River, overseeing construction, operation, and equitable water sharing between the two states.

Constituted under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, it manages the Bhakra-Nangal and Beas projects, overseeing water sharing and power distribution among Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh.

Established under the Cauvery Water Management Scheme, 2018, following the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment, it oversees the implementation of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal Award (2007) on water sharing among Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry.

Inter-state body constituted by MP and Rajasthan (later joined by Uttar Pradesh) to oversee the Chambal Valley Development Project, ensuring coordinated management of water sharing, irrigation, and hydropower from the Chambal River.

Established under the Damodar Valley Corporation Act, 1948, it is India’s first multipurpose river valley project, managing power generation, flood control, and irrigation in the Damodar River basin.

Summary of the Order/Judgment

Special leave petitions were filed under Article 136 of the Constitution challenging the validity of the orders of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal relating to inspection of the portions Cauvery river basin falling within their territories by the three States and Puducherry. The appeals dismissed since the appellants did not have the locus standi to object to proceedings before the Tribunal.Since the State of Karnataka, whose cause was said to be espoused by the appellants, did not itself choose to challenge any of the orders of the Tribunal, it could not be allowed to step into shoes of appellant as was prayed by it during the hearing. Download PDF

GFCC was set up under the Union Water Ministry for coordinating flood management planning and control measures in the Ganga basin states. It prepares comprehensive flood control plans, provides technical guidance, and monitors implementation of schemes.

Constituted under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, it regulates water resources, project operations, and river management in the Godavari basin, ensuring equitable sharing between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.