Kalasa-Banduri project: Karnataka to hold talks with Goa, Maharashtra

Bengaluru: Following pressure from all quarters, the state government has decided to hold talks with Goa and Maharashtra to find a way to take up the Kalasa-Banduri drinking water project to supply water to parched north Karnataka districts.

Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil informed the Legislative Council on Thursday during zero hour that the Chief Minister has agreed to take a delegation comprising pontiffs and opposition leaders of both Houses of the state legislature. The government has decided to file an Interlocutory Application (IA) in the tribunal seeking permission to take up the works.

Meanwhile MLAs and ministers of North-Karnataka region have demanded talks with the Goa and Maharash tra governments to persuade them to allow Karnataka to draw 7.56 tmc ft water from Kalasa-Banduri streams. Talks are possible only if the Goa and Maharashtra Chief Ministers agree to it, he said.

The minister requested the opposition BJP to talk to the Goa and Maharashtra Chief Ministers (both of BJP) and convince them to agree to talks. Opposition leader K.S.Eshwarappa welcome the move of the state government and assured that BJP will convince the two Chief Ministers to agree to talks.

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