As theNarmada Water Disputes Tribunal(NWDT) prepares to review the allocation ofNarmada waterto stakeholder states in 2024, theGujaratgovernment has initiated a crucial process to determine the state’s water requirement.
With the last NWDT award dating back to over four decades to 1979, Gujarat aims to secure a significant boost in its share of Narmada water, considering the substantial Growth in Irrigation area and the doubling of the state’s Population.
Under the 1979 award, the total water availability in the Narmada basin from July 1 to June 30 stood at 28 million acre-feet (MAF), with Gujarat receiving 9MAF, Madhya Pradesh getting 18.25MAF, and Maharashtra and Rajasthan being awarded 0.25MAF each.
To streamline the process, the state Narmada, Resources“>Water Resources, and water supply department has instructed all field and constituent offices to compile correspondence files from various stakeholders. The matter is periodically reviewed by the state chief secretary and top officials. Officials of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited have been directed to provide original copies of correspondence related to the NWDT award to the head office.
Established by the Centre on October 6, 1969, the NWDT was tasked with resolving the Narmada water-sharing dispute. The tribunal’s award, announced on December 7, 1979, was subsequently notified by the Union Government, making it binding on the disputing parties: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.