Bengaluru: After decades of protracted legal battle over the sharing of Mahadayi River water between Karnataka and Goa, Karnataka had reason to cheer as Mahadayi River Waters Tribunal awarded 5.5 tmc ft of water for drinking purposes and 8.02 tmc ft of water for power generation.
The tribunal recommendation, which runs into 12 volumes, were handed over to Union Ministry of Water Resources by tribunal officials in Delhi on Tuesday. While the activists of Mahadayi Nadi Horata Samithi celebrated 'Vijayotsava' in Hubballi, Dharwad, Gadag cities by spraying colors and distributing sweets, political leaders opined that they were not satisfied since they had expected more for Karnataka.
The tribunal observed, “The state of Karnataka shall undertake fresh planning and development of schemes for consumptive uses within the basin and/or diversion of water outside the basin, including the reservior losses for not more than 2.18 tmcft at the proposed Banduri dam site. It shall undertake fresh planning and development of schemes for consumptive uses within the basin and or diversion of water outside the basin including the reservior losses for more than 1.72 tmcft at the proposed Kalasa dam. Such utilizations shall necessarily rquire thorough review and modification of the DPR by karnataka government. It shall prepare a modified DPR for diversion of waer from the Mahadayi River basin. The proposals in the form of DPR would be considered for implementation only after techniocal appraisal for the proposed projects by the central agencies, and only after obtaining all mandatory clearences as required by law. Karnataka is permitted to develop the MHEP at Kotni for hydro power generation".
The row begun in 2002 when the then Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee gave clearance for the Kalasa-Banduri canal project but subsequently kept the order in abeyance after the Goa Government raised objection that it would endanger marine activities. Since this, the project had become a bone of contention. The BJP government headed by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had allocated Rs 100 crore for Kalasa Banduri project.
Reacting to the verdict, CM H.D. Kumaraswamy said, “I have discussed with the officers from Water Resources Department and Legal Experts in this regard. The Final award recommendation of the Tribunal is about 12 volumes and will take a decision only after studying it in detail and consulting with all concerned.” Meanwhile, Mohan Katarki, advocate representing Karnataka, said, “We have succeeded partly with regard to the pressing needs in Karnataka. After holding that, the total water in the Mahadayi basin is 188.06 tmcft, the Tribunal should have considered allocation of more water for Karnataka. We will study the Report and decide on the next course of action.”
