PANAJI: Goa’s Water Resources Minister, Subhash Shirodkar, revealed on Friday that the state government intends to approach the Supreme Court to request a joint inspection of the Kalasa Banduri river diversion project. This decision follows a previous refusal by the Mahadayi PRAWAH (Progressive River Authority for Welfare and Harmony) to grant a joint inspection, citing the matter’s sub-judice status before the Supreme Court.
Minister Shirodkar, who led a committee meeting of the Goa assembly, shared that suggestions were made to seek Supreme Court permission for this inspection. Such a joint visit would involve members of PRAWAH, state officials, and representatives from all involved states, allowing PRAWAH to provide their input. Goa plans to file this request with the Supreme Court in November.
The core of the dispute lies in Goa’s accusation that Karnataka is diverting water by altering stream courses without necessary approvals. The Mahadayi river, known as Mahadayi in Karnataka, originates in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and flows through Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra before meeting the Arabian Sea. A tribunal established by the Centre had previously ruled on the sharing of the river’s water among these states. However, both Goa and Karnataka have challenged the tribunal’s 2018 award in the Supreme Court.
The long-standing conflict is fueled by differing stances: Karnataka aims to divert 36.5 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft) of water to its Malaprabha river, a proposal initially granted 13.42 tmc ft by the tribunal. Goa, on the other hand, has opposed any such diversion, advocating for water usage solely within the same river basin.
Key Takeaways:
- Goa plans to approach the Supreme Court for a joint inspection of the Mahadayi river project.
- The state accuses Karnataka of unauthorized water diversion.
- The dispute is over water sharing, with a Supreme Court challenge to a tribunal’s award.
Further Reading:
- Goa’s Water Resources Ministry official statements.
- Supreme Court proceedings related to the Mahadayi water dispute.