Orissa, Andhra Pradesh on warpath over Mahendratanaya water

After Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh have gone into a warpath over the sharing of water. Ignoring Orissa's plea, Andhra Pradesh CM YS Rajshekhar Reddy had laid the foundation stone for the construction of a reservoir on the lower stream of Mahendratanaya river on April 4. Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik reacted to the development strongly and laid the foundation stone for the construction of two annicuts on the upper stream of the Mahendratanaya river at Dambapur in Gajapati district in Orissa.

Mahendratanaya river originates from the Mahendragiri hill of Gajapati district of Orissa. It passes through the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. If a barrage is constructed on the lower stream of the river, people of Orissa will have a difficulty in getting water during summer. When Andhra CM failed to respond to Orissa's request not to construct a barrage, the Orissa government adopted a tit-for-tat approach and came up with alternative plan. The entire project will cost Rs 38 crore and will be completed in one year.