PANAJI
The Goa government has revived its long-pending demand for a joint inspection of Karnataka's Kalasa diversion works this ongoing monsoon, contending that only an on-site assessment under actual flow conditions can verify compliance with the Mahadayi Tribunal's directions.
The demand, placed on record during the Authority's seventh meeting, comes months after Goa expressed disappointment that its repeated requests for a joint inspection of the Kalasa project had failed to find a place in the agenda of an earlier PRAWAH meeting.
State officials consistently maintained that an inspection during the monsoon is critical to scientifically assess actual flow conditions in the river and verify compliance with the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal's directions.
“...The Authority accords the highest priority to the long-pending joint inspection of the Kalasa Diversion Scheme during the current monsoon, when actual flow conditions can be scientifically assessed,” Mahadayi PRAWAH member from Goa S S Gill (IAS) said at the meeting.
He further requested that the Karnataka government be advised to extend full cooperation and grant permission to members, technical experts and government officials of the basin States to undertake field inspection, drone survey and technical documentation of the Kalasa Bhandura project and its catchment area.
The Goa government also sought immediate intervention over possible diversion of Mahadayi waters through the Kalasa scheme.
“The Authority direct the State of Karnataka to immediately prevent any leakage through the masonry plugs constructed in the RCC conduits of the Kalasa Diversion Scheme... so that no diversion of Mahadayi waters to the Malaprabha Basin takes place in violation of the Tribunal's directions,” Gill urged the Authority.
The issue figured prominently at the outset of the meeting, with PRAWAH Chairperson D S Chaskar acknowledging Goa’s request while outlining the Authority's mandate to implement the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal Award and promote cooperation among the basin States.
The meeting, however, stopped short of deciding on Goa’s inspection request. Instead, discussions on the broader framework governing approvals for new irrigation and drinking water projects revealed continuing differences among the riparian States.
Karnataka maintained that the Kalasa-Bhandura project had already undergone technical appraisal by the Central Water Commission and was awaiting statutory clearances. It also reiterated that Mahadayi PRAWAH should exercise only those powers envisaged under the notified scheme and the Tribunal Award. Maharashtra said it would comment on Goa's submissions after examining them.
After deliberations, the Authority deferred the issue, deciding that a comparative statement incorporating the comments of all three States on the draft guidelines for final clearance of irrigation and drinking water projects would be prepared and discussed at its next meeting.
