PANAJI
While maintaining that the Goa government is serious on Mhadei river water, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday refused to comment on Karnataka’s move to appoint a contractor for the Kalsa-Bhandura Mhadei river diversion project.
“Why should I comment on Karnataka’s Budget announcement? We are very much serious on the Mhadei issue…the matter is before the Supreme Court,” Sawant said responding to media questions.
Sawant also said that the government is making all efforts to see that the Supreme Court hears the matter at the earliest. “We are pressing for early hearing,” he said.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while presenting the State budget 2025-26 on March 7, said that the government had awarded the contract for Mhadei diversion project with certain conditions and the work for the project will commence as soon as necessary approvals are received from the Centre.
“In anticipation of clearances from the Government of India regarding the usage of 3.90 TMC water under the Kalsa-Bhandura Canal Diversion Project, the contract has been awarded with certain conditions. Works will commence as soon as the necessary approval is received from the central government,” he said.
The Karnataka government assured to complete all the pending projects within the Krishna, Kaveri and other river basins including Mhadei in the current year.
The Centre has announced Rs 5,300 crore grants in its budget in 2023-24 for the Upper Bhadra Project but till date has not released it.
With Goa government raising objections to the Mhadei diversion project and legal battle pending before the Supreme Court, the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has deferred decision on grant of forest clearance to the project.
Karnataka chief minister had made several representations to the Central authorities including Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite permission for the project.
Further, there is no clarity as when the Supreme Court is likely to hear the matter. The appeals, filed by the three riparian States- Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra- against Mhadei Tribunal award and contempt pleas filed by Goa, were listed for hearing in January; however, the same failed to come up.
