Union Cabinet Approved A Committee on Babhli Barrage Project

The Union cabinet of India approved on 17 October 2013 the appointment of a three-member supervisory committee headed by a representative of the Central Water Commission on construction of Babhli Barrage issue.
The other two members of the committee were including one representative from the state of Andhra Pradesh and one representative from the Maharashtra.

The Union Government took this decision to implement the direction the Supreme Court of India.

The Supreme Court was directed the Centre to constitute a three-member Supervisory Committee to deal with the Babhli Barrage issue on 28 February 2013.

About The Babhli barrage
• The Babhli project / barrage is a controversial reservoir project being constructed by Maharashtra state across the river Godavari.
• The project brought dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra states.

Background
• The State of Andhra Pradesh in May, 2005 brought to the notice of the Central Government that Government of Maharashtra was constructing Babhli barrage in the submergence area of Sriram Sagar Project in violation Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal award.
• In this regard Central Water Commission (CWC) held two meetings with officers of the States of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra in 2005.  Besides, another meeting was held between the officers of the States of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashstra in 2005.
• But the matter could not be resolved despite meetings by Central Water Commission between the two states.
• The Andhra Pradesh government filed a case in the Supreme Court of India against Maharashtra and the Government of India and asked the Supreme Court of India to grant a permanent injunction restraining Maharashtra from undertaking or proceeding with the construction Babhli Barrage.
• The Supreme Court directed the Union Government to constitute a three-member Supervisory Committee to deal with the issue.

About Central Water Commission
• Central Water Commission is a premier Technical Organization of India in the field of Water Resources.
• It is functioning as an attached office of the Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India.
• The Commission is entrusted with the general responsibilities of initiating, coordinating and furthering in consultation of the State Governments concerned, schemes for control, conservation and utilization of water resources throughout the country, for purpose of Flood Control, Irrigation, Navigation, Drinking Water Supply and Water Power Development.
•It also undertakes the investigations, construction and execution of any such schemes as required.