Date:25/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/02/25/stories/2005022503880600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Joint team for Vamsadhara project

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, FEB. 24. A joint committee would be constituted with technical experts from Orissa and Andhra Pradesh to supervise execution of the flood-flow canal, a component of the second phase of the Vamsadhara Stage II project, without adversely affecting Orissa's interests.

An understanding was reached between the Orissa Energy Minister, Suraj Narayanan Patra, and the Major Irrigation Minister, Ponnala Lakshmaiah, after discussions here today. The Orissa Minister was aided by two of his Cabinet colleagues — Rabi Narayanan Nanda (Water Resources) and Debasis Naik (Information & Public Relations) — and the Irrigation Secretary, V. P. Singh.

The understanding provides for monitoring of flow in the proposed canal which will draw water from the Vamsadhara at Katragadda when the river swells during monsoon.