Mahadayi row: Goa government threatens to file contempt petition against Karnataka government

Belagavi: The Mahadayi row is getting worse with the Goa government threatening to file a contempt petition against the Karnataka government for alleged attempts being made by a section of leaders from Karnataka to demolish the sealing structures to halt flow of water from Mahadayi into the interconnecting Kalsa nala.

In a letter to the state government, the Goa government has warned that steps will be taken apart from deploying security personnel to ensure that the order of Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal, which got the sealing structures constructed in the inter-connecting Kalsa nala, are not removed.

Additional Chief Engineer, Water Resources Department of Goa, P.J. Kamat in his letter to Belagavi DC, N Jairam sought Karnataka’s intervention to stop the plans being made by self-styled leaders in Karnataka to demolish the channel sealing structures constructed by Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL).

“Goa has received information that a meeting has been convened at Kankumbi with the specific purpose of demolishing the channel sealing structures. The sealing structures to stop the flow of water from Goa's Mandovi river into Malaprabha through Kalsa nala have been constructed on the orders of Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal. Any tampering with sealing structures will amount to contempt of the tribunal's order by Karnataka,” said Mr Kamat.

Mr Jairam has written to the Water Resources Department of Karna taka about the fears expressed by Goa government. Speaking to DC, he said measures have already been taken to avoid any violation of the tribunal’s orders at Kankumbi.