MAPUSA
The Mhadei river issue triggered an explosive debate in the Goa Assembly on Monday, with Opposition MLAs tearing into the State government for its perceived inaction even as Karnataka allegedly speeds up work to divert the river’s waters.
The Opposition, while accusing the government of inaction, also demanded that weekly status reports be submitted on the issue.
Raising the matter during Question Hour, Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco questioned the government on the current status of activity at Kalsa and Bandura.
“Karnataka is working hard to divert water. Markings have been done, stones placed and there is significant activity even in forest areas. Why are we not pushing for an early Supreme Court hearing?” he demanded.
Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar called Mhadei a “burning issue” and said the government was actively monitoring Karnataka’s actions.
“They are doing illegal work like laying underground conduits. We report every illegality to the Supreme Court and have filed a contempt petition. We are waiting for the matter to be heard,” Shirodkar said, adding that the hearing has been delayed due to several factors.
However, Opposition MLAs said the State had done little since 2020.
Lourenco claimed Karnataka has accused Goa of not using Mhadei waters for drinking or irrigation.
“They are preparing for a full-fledged diversion, and the moment they get relief, they will go ahead. We seem to be watching silently,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao questioned the utility of the legal expenditure, pointing out that Rs 16 crore had been spent and yet Prawah, the authority overseeing Mhadei, had issued just “four to five letters” in 2024 and none this year.
“Are we doing anything beyond filing cases? Prawah is cold-shouldering us. A constitutional crisis needs to be created,” he said.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai cited recent media reports showing pipelines being laid in forest areas.
“What action has the new WRD chief engineer taken since the report came out? We should consider dissolving the House Committee on Mhadei,” he said, offering to resign from the committee in frustration.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant admitted Karnataka was “doing a lot of activities” but reiterated that no central permissions had been granted.
“We met the Union Minister and were told no permissions were given,” he said.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Veigas emphasised the need for the government to provide weekly updates on the Mhadei issue about the actions being taken by both the government and its legal team.
St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar pointed out that although a House Committee was constituted, it has yet to carry out any inspections.
He also raised concerns over a report by the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) claiming that the Mhadei diversion would have no impact on Goa, questioning the government’s silence on the matter.
In a rare show of unity, all opposition MLAs rushed to the well of the House demanding more time for discussion on Mhadei.
