New Delhi: The Vamsadhara Water Dispute Tribunal (VWDT) directed Tuesday the technical officers of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to hold a joint discussion on the issues arising in Katragada and Neradi barrages from January 28 and submit a joint report in the tribunal a week thereafter.
A three-judge bench headed by Chairperson Dr MK Sharma asked Odisha and Union government to file skeleton argument a week before the hearing. The Tribunal has listed the matter for hearing March 5 and 6. Further hearings would be held April 2, 3, 4.
Odisha has filed two applications seeking clarification on the tribunal order dated September 2017. The bench said it would take up both the application March 5 and 6.
The tribunal has also handed over the copies of the inspection report prepared by it after visiting the site in Odisha and AP to the counsels of both states and Union of India.
Earlier Monday, the Supreme Court deferred the hearing in Vamsadhara water dispute case to May 6. A two-judge bench of the SC comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and Hemant Gupta deferred the hearing after the counsel for both states sought adjournment.
Vamsadhara is an inter-state river that originates from Thuamul Rampur of Kalahandi district and flows through approximately 265 km – 185 km through Odisha, while the river meets the sea at Kalingapatnam in Andhra.
PNN