BELAGAVI
People of north Karnataka are upbeat after the Karnataka government filed an interim plea seeking 7 TMC of water from the Kalsa-Bhandura rivulets, the main tributaries of River Mhadei.
The Karnataka government has filed an Interlocutory Application (IA) before the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal headed by Justice J M Panchal seeking interim relief on December 1 for releasing 7 TMC of water from the rivulets into river Malaprabha.
“Taking into account the grave water situation in north Karnataka region, and the possible delay regarding the final verdict, we had no option but to file the application in the interest of the people of north Karnataka,” Karnataka Minister for Water Resources M B Patil told The Goan.
“Water is needed owing to the severe scarcity in the rural areas of Belagavi, Gadag and the twin cities of Hubballi and Dharwad. Till the dispute is addressed, we have urged the Tribunal to release 7 TMC of water from the rivulets,” informed Patil, while adding that the people of Karnataka are hoping that justice would be done.
In its plea, Karnataka has also assured the Tribunal that the water would be released only after obtaining permissions from the Ministry of Environments and Forests and other departments.
Meanwhile, people of north Karnataka are upbeat over the government’s move and hope that Tribunal would give its nod for the plea.
“This is more of a political issue and it should be resolved. Both Goa and Karnataka have spent a whopping amount on legal fees from which politicians and others in both the states have benefited, leaving the people of north Karnataka in the lurch,” Shashikant Sidnal, an activist from Belagavi told The Goan, and urged people of Goa to support the genuine cause of the people of north Karnataka.
