PANAJI
Karnataka, in its modified Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the Kalasa-Bhandura Nala diversion schemes, failed to undertake fresh planning and preparation of holistic Master plan for diversion of Mhadei river water by identifying priorities, as directed by the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT), reveals the Goa Government appointed 14-member study group.
Following Central Water Commission (CWC) approval to Karnataka’s two DPRs in January 2023, the State government constituted a study group under WRD Chief Engineer to study the DPRs. The group submitted its report in November, last year.
“The study group noted that the project, for augmentation of the State of Karnataka, has not undertaken fresh planning and development of schemes by preparing a holistic Master plan for the diversion of water from the source to storage i.e. Malaprabha dam by identifying priorities and justification, but merely prepared a diversion scheme of Mhadei water,” the report stated.
The study group pointed out that MWDT in its award had allowed Karnataka water diversion outside the basin-2.18 TMC of Mhadei water at proposed Bhandura dam and 1.72 TMC of water at proposed Kalasa dam. However with a condition that Karnataka will undertake fresh planning and development of schemes for consumptive uses within the basin and / or diversion of water outside the basin.
The State was asked to prepare modified DPRs for diversion of water from the Mhadei river basin and the same would be implemented only after technical appraisal of the proposed projects by the central agencies, and only after obtaining all mandatory clearances as required by law.
Despite Tribunal clear directions, the Study group noted that “while appraising the DPR, no effort whatsoever were made by the CWC, to insist and examine the Master Plan, as mandated in the “Guidelines for Assessment of Water Availability for Non-Irrigation Uses 2012”.
“In absence of the Master Plan, there is uncertainty as to how much and in what manner the State of Karnataka will utilize the water allowed to be diverted, once it is stored in the Malaprabha Reservoir,” it added further.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS
The proposal to divert water from tributaries of Mhadei to augment the Multi-purpose Malaprabha Reservoir for Drinking Water Purpose, is factually misleading, legally mischievous and has no merit,
KA has not carried out the need based apportionment of existing Dam water of the Malaprabha reservoir for drinking, Irrigation, Industries etc. to justify the diversion. This is a serious violation of relevant sections of National Water Policy, 2012.
The water storage of Malaprabha dam is 27 TMC as against projected water requirement to Hubli Dharwad towns is about 7.56 TMC, available water is over three times the drinking water requirement of Hubli –Dharwad towns and en route villages.
Appraising the DPRs of Karnataka state, for non-irrigation purpose is in total contravention of pertinent observations of MWDT
