River Vamsadhara (Oriya:ବଂଶଧାରା Telugu: వంశధార నది) (also called Bansadhara in Orissa) is an important east flowing river between Mahanadi and Godavari, in Southern Orissa and North Eastern Andhra Pradesh states in India.
It is situated in the geographic co-ordinates of 18 15 to 19 55 north latitudes and 83 20 84 20 east longitudes.
The river originates near Lanjigarh village in Kalahandi district of Orissa and runs for a distance of about 254 kilometers and joins the Bay of Bengal at Kalingapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
The total catchement area of the river basin is about 10,830 square kilometers.
Tourist attractions of Mukhalingam and Kalingapatnam in Srikakulam district are located on the banks of this river.
Name of this river originates from words bansa (bamboo) and dhara (water flow). This river originates from forests with bamboo trees. So, it was named as Bansadhara in Oriya and transliterated as Vamsadhara in Telugu.
Vamsadhara river basin occupies 8015 square kilometers in Orissa and rest 2815 sq. km. lies in Andhra Pradesh. This river basin receives high annual average rainfall of magnitude 1400 mm. The portion lying in Orissa is predominantly hilly and tribal populated area. Andhra Pradesh and Orissa roughly estimated that 115 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) water is available for use in the river. They entered in to agreements to use the available river water in 50:50 ratio. Andhra Pradesh has taken up Gotta barrage and Neredi barrage projects to put its share of water for use. However Orissa has not taken up new projects in the basin area to utilize its share of water. In fact it is diverting Vamsadhara river waters to adjacent Rushikulya river basin by constructing reservoir at Adaba town without taking prior consent from Andhra Pradesh. Also, Orissa has raised objections to Neredi barrage project on the grounds of land submergence in its territory.
Approximately 25% of the available water in this basin is being utilized during monsoon period by constructing barrages across the river. Reservoirs up to 100 TMC water storage capacity, are to be constructed for the non-monsoon period irrigation requirements by which 100% water utilization can be achieved. Peculiar situation of this river is that most of the land to be irrigated is located in Andhra Pradesh while the possible storage reservoirs are located in Orissa. Recently, Vamsadhara River water disputes tribunal is constituted under Interstate River Water Disputes Act to resolve river water sharing issues between the two states. The tribunal should study how best the total water available in the river can be utilized fully by constructing adequate storage reservoirs.
Boddepalli Rajagopala Rao Project was constructed on Vamsadhara river.[1]
Vamsadhara is the main river of Uttarandhra. The Uttarandhra region consists of three north coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh state in India. This region is also called Kalingandhra. Vamsadhara project is designed to meet the irrigation needs of Uttarandhara.[2]
The Vamsadhara project has two canals viz., the left main canal (LMC), irrigating about 148,000 acres (600 km2), and the right main canal (RMC) covering an ayacut of 62,280 acres (252 km2). The left main canal was completed long back. The right main canal was delayed due to various reasons. Gotta Reservoir feeds the right main canal. About 166 villages in seven mandals viz., L.N. Peta, Hiramandalam, Burja, Amadalavalasa, Gara, Sarubujjili and Srikakulam will be benefited from the RMC.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/66801452/Interstate-River-Water-Disputes-Act “Interstate river water disputes act - 1956 and its legal provisions” http://cwc.gov.in/main/downloads/legal_instruments_3.pdf “Agreements with Orissa on Vamsadhara river waters sharing” pages 256 to 263.
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