PANAJI
The Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan (MBA) on Monday accused the Centre-appointed PRAWAH committee of favouring Karnataka in the ongoing Mhadei river diversion dispute, while also alleging that the Goa government was not pursuing the matter with the seriousness it required.
Addressing a press conference, MBA convenor Nirmala Sawant claimed that the State government had failed to take a strong stand on the inter-state river dispute and questioned the effectiveness of the PRAWAH mechanism.
“The Goa government is not serious about the Mhadei river issue,” Sawant alleged, claiming that the PRAWAH committee was acting in Karnataka’s interest instead of addressing Goa’s concerns.
She questioned the role of PRAWAH, pointing out that eight years had passed since its formation but the dispute remained unresolved.
Sawant also alleged that the committee had ignored Goa’s request for a site inspection of the Kankumbi region. She claimed that the area was not covered during PRAWAH’s field visit in 2024 despite allegations of violations related to Karnataka’s diversion works.
“The committee has ignored the alleged violations by not inspecting the Kankumbi area,” she alleged.
Expressing concern over the future of the Mhadei river, the Abhiyan appealed to Goans to unite and protect the river before the situation worsens.
“The people of Goa must come together and fight for the Mhadei before it is too late,” Sawant said.
PRAWAH was constituted by the Centre to facilitate discussions between Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra over the Mhadei river
dispute.
After its first meeting, the authority stated that the issue could be resolved amicably through dialogue among the three riparian states. It also decided to discuss matters related to the sustainable and equitable use of the Mhadei river basin.
