the goan I network
PANAJI
The Goa government in its submission before the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal stated that diversion of water outside the basin by the State of Karnataka would further aggravate the availability of drinking water at Goa's own Opa water works, among other water supply schemes in the state.
"The entire region (Mhadei basin in Goa) is heavily dependent upon River Mandovi for drinking water needs; in particular the towns of Valpoi, Bicholim, Mapusa, Panaji and Ponda are dependent upon Mandovi/Mhadei river basin and the fresh waters therein for the purpose of drinking. The Mandovi/Mhadei river is the virtual lifeline for the entire state of Goa," the state government had gone on record while arguing that there is no water to spare to give to Karnataka.
Goa genuinely apprehended that if Karnataka's disputed projects are executed and a part of the waters of Mandovi River and its tributaries are diverted outside the basin, it would have disastrous consequences thereby affecting the drinking water needs, the navigation and fishing activities, harbour, irrigation needs, domestic and industrial water supply facilities, salinity control in coastal region and irreversible environmental damages to Goa state.
"The reservoir at Opa which meets the drinking water needs of entire Ponda and Tiswadi talukas will be seriously affected.
"The drinking water needs of the talukas of Ponda and Tiswadi which includes the major cities of Panaji and Ponda are supplied from the Khandepar River, through a water treatment plant at Opa on the banks of Khandepar River which is a tributary of Mandovi River.
"Today the demand for potable water is more than 140 MLD (Million Liters per Day). More than 4.50 lakh population has been covered under Opa water system," the state government claimed.
"The demand is increasing day by day with the rise in urban population, increase in industrialisation, tourism etc. It has been observed that the dry weather base flow in the Khandepar River, especially during the lean months of February to May, is not sufficient to meet the above said drinking water requirements," the affidavit filed in 2015 reads.
The state government's official stand before the tribunal raises further questions on the scope and extent of what Parrikar has agreed to compromise on with his letter to Yeddyurappa especially if the government's stated stand is that any diversion will be detrimental to Goa's own drinking water needs.
"Even to meet the minimum drinking water needs of areas served from Opa, the Water Resources Department has had to undertake measures to augment the River Khandepar.
"These include besides several other measures, transfer of water by pumping from the main Mhadei River at Ganjem to Opa. Therefore, the Khandepar sub-basin of the Mandovi Basin is critically dependent on the availability of water in the Mhadei River," the state has said.
"Any tampering with the Mahadei River basin or Mhadei River in the manner proposed by the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra or even otherwise is bound to increase the salinity caution, thereby rendering practically the whole Mhadei River in the State of Goa unfit for drinking water purposes," the state has maintained.
"The state of Goa will be deprived of its natural resource of drinking water substantially, in case the ongoing Virdi Irrigation Project has to affect the downstream flow in River Valvanti post construction of the Dam by Maharashtra inasmuch as Goa has two of its major water treatment plants located in the said River portion. There is no other alternative source of water for these drinking water schemes," the statement before the tribunal reads.
PANAJI
The Goa government in its submission before the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal stated that diversion of water outside the basin by the State of Karnataka would further aggravate the availability of drinking water at Goa's own Opa water works, among other water supply schemes in the state.
"The entire region (Mhadei basin in Goa) is heavily dependent upon River Mandovi for drinking water needs; in particular the towns of Valpoi, Bicholim, Mapusa, Panaji and Ponda are dependent upon Mandovi/Mhadei river basin and the fresh waters therein for the purpose of drinking. The Mandovi/Mhadei river is the virtual lifeline for the entire state of Goa," the state government had gone on record while arguing that there is no water to spare to give to Karnataka.
Goa genuinely apprehended that if Karnataka's disputed projects are executed and a part of the waters of Mandovi River and its tributaries are diverted outside the basin, it would have disastrous consequences thereby affecting the drinking water needs, the navigation and fishing activities, harbour, irrigation needs, domestic and industrial water supply facilities, salinity control in coastal region and irreversible environmental damages to Goa state.
"The reservoir at Opa which meets the drinking water needs of entire Ponda and Tiswadi talukas will be seriously affected.
"The drinking water needs of the talukas of Ponda and Tiswadi which includes the major cities of Panaji and Ponda are supplied from the Khandepar River, through a water treatment plant at Opa on the banks of Khandepar River which is a tributary of Mandovi River.
"Today the demand for potable water is more than 140 MLD (Million Liters per Day). More than 4.50 lakh population has been covered under Opa water system," the state government claimed.
"The demand is increasing day by day with the rise in urban population, increase in industrialisation, tourism etc. It has been observed that the dry weather base flow in the Khandepar River, especially during the lean months of February to May, is not sufficient to meet the above said drinking water requirements," the affidavit filed in 2015 reads.
The state government's official stand before the tribunal raises further questions on the scope and extent of what Parrikar has agreed to compromise on with his letter to Yeddyurappa especially if the government's stated stand is that any diversion will be detrimental to Goa's own drinking water needs.
"Even to meet the minimum drinking water needs of areas served from Opa, the Water Resources Department has had to undertake measures to augment the River Khandepar.
"These include besides several other measures, transfer of water by pumping from the main Mhadei River at Ganjem to Opa. Therefore, the Khandepar sub-basin of the Mandovi Basin is critically dependent on the availability of water in the Mhadei River," the state has said.
"Any tampering with the Mahadei River basin or Mhadei River in the manner proposed by the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra or even otherwise is bound to increase the salinity caution, thereby rendering practically the whole Mhadei River in the State of Goa unfit for drinking water purposes," the state has maintained.
"The state of Goa will be deprived of its natural resource of drinking water substantially, in case the ongoing Virdi Irrigation Project has to affect the downstream flow in River Valvanti post construction of the Dam by Maharashtra inasmuch as Goa has two of its major water treatment plants located in the said River portion. There is no other alternative source of water for these drinking water schemes," the statement before the tribunal reads.
