MAPUSA
Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar told the Goa Legislative Assembly on Tuesday that no decision has been taken to divert Mhadei river water to Karnataka but a physical visit to Kalasa and Bhandura sites was not possible as Karnataka was physically obstructing such visits.
“The State government is closely monitoring the case. The activities of Karnataka before the MoEF, CWC and other authorities are being closely watched. However, a physical visit to Kalasa and Bhandura sites is not possible as Karnataka is obstructing such visits. At one point in time, Karnataka Police had detained the officials from Goa during a site inspection,” Shirodkar said.
To a question whether the Mhadei water sharing between Karnataka and Goa has been resolved as mentioned by the Union Home Minister, Shirodkar said: “No, the case is pending before the Supreme Court.”
“In election time, any statements are made. We don’t have to answer every statement that is made,” the WRD minister maintained.
He said the Goa government was fighting the case “tooth and nail” and doing all possible to save the interest of the State.
“I don’t think this project will ever go through," he said.
He further informed that his ministry has initiated several steps to construct more water storage facilities and even increase the size of the existing dams in the State.
“We are planning to increase the size of the Selaulim dam. There are plans to use at least 200 MLD of water from the Chapora river for drinking purposes. We also have similar plans for Mapusa river,” he said.
