BELAGAVI
The Karnataka government seems to be confident of getting a positive verdict in the controversial Kalsa-Bhandura water diversion project on River Mhadei, with Irrigation Minister Govind Karjol saying the government is poised to restart work on the project on the very next day of getting the verdict from the Supreme Court.
“Karnataka is also making an all-out attempt in getting the Mhadei verdict in its favour and the government is confident of the same as necessary arrangements to restart the work on the water diversion project have been made, minister Karjol said.
“The government will take up work on the Kalsa-Bhandura project on the very next day of a decision by the Supreme Court. The government was prepared to implement the project and the work would be implemented practically once the apex court gives its verdict.”
“The Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) has awarded 13.4 tmc feet of water to Karnataka, of which 5 tmc feet would be used for drinking purposes and rest share for generating power,” said Karjol, during a news conference here.
He further informed that Karnataka has received an in-principle nod from the Union Ministry of Environment & Forests in 2015 for the implementation of the project.
“However, Goa and Maharashtra objected to the project and filed a suit with the Supreme Court. In response, Karnataka has also filed a writ petition on the matter,” the minister said.
