The Central Water Commission (CWC) has cleared Karnataka’s much-disputed Kalasa-Banduri Nala project's detailed project report (DPR) over river Mhadei, which is being opposed by Goa. However, the Centre’s approval for the DPR will be subject to the final directions of the Supreme Court on the water allocation in SLPs filed by the riparian states of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai claimed that the Centre’s clearance for the DPR which was submitted by his state in November 2022, was a “victory” ahead of the assembly elections.
Goa has been opposing the diversion of the water through the Kalasa and Banduri dam projects. The diversion of water was approved by the Mahadayi River Tribunal in 2018 with Karnataka getting an allocation of 3.9 TMC (1.72 TMC from Kalasa and 2.18 TMC from Banduri dams).
But the project continued to remain under scrutiny with the riparian states -- Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka -- filing separate special leave petitions (SLP) in the Supreme Court over the allocation of the water.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) had issued orders in 2020 to Karnataka to submit a DPR for the two disputed projects. The DPR submitted by Karnataka in November 2022 has received clearance from the CWC now.
However, the Centre’s approval for the DPR will be approved subject to the final directions of the SC on the water allocation. “This acceptance from hydrology and inter-State aspects as per guidelines of CWC shall be subject to the decision in the proceedings before the Supreme Court in the SLPs (32517/2018 of Maharashtra, 33018/2018 of Karnataka & 19312/2019 of Goa) against the report-cum-final decision dated the 14 August, 2018,” states the CWC order.
SAWANT WANTS MAHADAYI WATER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
Reacting to the DPR, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant asserted that Karnataka cannot divert water of Mhadei because under the Wild Life Protection Act 1972, no water from Kalasa rivulet can be diverted in any manner.
“We shall fight to the hilt for each drop of Mhadei water. We demand and request the central government to immediately constitute the Mahadayi Water Management Authority which would ensure that no water from Kalasa rivulet is diverted illegally. We assure that the Government of Goa is fully committed and dedicated to the cause of the Mhadei basin and the people of Goa,” he said.
