DHARWAD
Although it is nearly four years since the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal laid down the formula for the sharing of the river’s waters between Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra, the state government is yet to issue a notification on the implementation of the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project. Firstly, the Karnataka government needs to step up efforts to obtain clearance from the Central Water Commission, and the Union ministry of environment and forests, to initiate work on the project.
In February 2020, the Supreme Court granted interim relief to the Karnataka government, permitting it to implement the project, despite the fact that the order of the tribunal has been challenged by neighbouring Goa. The tribunal’s order was subsequently notified by the central government, although it is subject to the apex court’s order in view of Goa challenging the order.
Best opportunity
Experts and leaders of farmers outfits have pointed out that the state is free to initiate work on the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project, which will divert waters from the River Mahadayi to Malaprabha. The BJP is in power in Karnataka, Goa and at the Centre. This is the best opportunity for the state to resolve the issue by impressing on the Union government the importance of the project for the farmers of the region, said Vijay Kulkarni, a leader of the farmers outfit.
Supreme Court advocate Mohan Kararki, who is part of the team representing the interests of Karnataka in the court, opined that the state must put its best foot forward in trying to obtain the Union environment ministry’s clearance for the project.
In the order issued by the tribunal on August 14, 2018, the state was allocated 13.42tmcft of water from the Mahadayi River.
The tribunal was constituted to resolve the four-decade-long conflict. Of the 13.42tmcft allocated to Karnataka, 5.5tmcft is meant for use within the basin of Mahadayi, and for diversion to the Malaprabha, while 8tmcft is to be used for generation of power. Goa, meanwhile, was allocated 24tmcft of water, but was unhappy with the reward. While Maharashtra was allocated 1.3tmcft.
Karnataka has sought a further 7.56 tmcft to supply water to 13 towns across Dharwad, Belagavi, Bagalkot and Gadag districts. There is a proposal to build canals to link the tributaries of Mahadayi – Kalasa and Banduri – as part of the plan to divert water to the Malaprabha. The Goa government is of the opinion that the proposed diversion will have an adverse socio-economic impact .
