NEW DELHI, OCT 1: Karnataka has informed the Supreme Court that erection of crest gates at the controversial Almatti dam across Krishna river can be started only in October 1998 and completed by March 1999.An affidavit to this effect was filed by Karnataka Government in the court yesterday in the course of hearing on the issue. Andhra Pradesh had sought an injection from the apex court restraining Karnataka from constructing the dam beyond 519 metre height.Karnataka which proposes to build the dam to a height 524 metre informed the court that the dam had reached a height of 509 metre and the work on erecting of a 15 metre gate could commence only in October 1998. Following this, the court observed that AP's prayer for injection need not be acted upon.The court also passed a partial decree in terms of a prayer in AP's suit on the water dispute declaring that the Bachawat Tribunal Award was binding on all the three states of AP, Karnataka and Maharashtra in its entirety.The partial decree was passed after both Karnataka and Maharashtra agreed to it.
