Extension Granted Again: The Unending Saga of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal

The Centre has extended the deadline for the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal to submit its final report until July 31, 2026. Originally established in April 2004 to resolve water-sharing disputes among Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, the tribunal's scope expanded post-2014 with Telangana's involvement, leading to ongoing extensions.

In a recent development, the Centre has extended the deadline for the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal, allowing it until July 31, 2026, to finalize its report on the inter-state water-sharing conflict involving the Krishna River.

The extension, announced by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, was made under the authority of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956. The decision follows a formal plea from the Tribunal for more time to conclude its work.

The Tribunal, initially set up in April 2004, was tasked with resolving disputes between Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. However, Andhra Pradesh's bifurcation in 2014 brought Telangana into the fray, adding complexity to the proceedings and necessitating multiple deadline extensions.

(With inputs from agencies.)