STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH vs STATE OF KARNATAKA & ORS.

The Supreme Court addressed the inter-State water disputes concerning the Krishna River, emphasizing the need for equitable distribution among the riparian States of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. The Court highlighted the historical context of water sharing agreements, including the 1944 agreement for the Tungabhadra River and the 1951 memorandum for the Krishna River, which was to remain valid for 25 years. The Court affirmed the establishment of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal under Section 3 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, to adjudicate these disputes, holding that such a tribunal is essential for resolving conflicts over water resources among States.