The award given by the Krishna water dispute tribunal, headed by Justice Brijesh Kumar, seems to have adverse implications on irrigation projects undertaken across Rayalaseema. The state lost the right over utilisation of Krishna surplus, which will have severe implications on irrigation and drinking water purposes in the future. The future of most ongoing projects is doubtful as water allocations were not made in accordance with the Bachawat tribunal award. Irrigation officials said that allowing Karnataka to heighten the Almatti dam from 519 metres to 524.25 metres would affect AP, as it had no right over surplus waters. The Handri Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) scheme will be affected adversely though the state government spent more than Rs 1,000 crores in two phases against the actual outlay of Rs 7,000 crores. The scheme is envisaged to provide irrigation water for 6 lakh acres in Rayalaseema and drinking water to 33 lakh residents. According to the plan, the HNSS scheme will draw 40 tmc ft water from Srisailam at Malyala in Kurnool district. But the tribunal