Karnataka-Goa water war intensifies
The Hindu.com
JAISHANKAR JAYARAMIAH
Posted online: Monday, August 14, 2006 at 0000 hours IST
BANGALORE: The Centre’s delay in taking a final decision on the Kalasa-Banduri Nala water project has forced Karnataka to go ahead with it, with or without central nod. The state will start work on the project on October 2. However, political observers feel the Centre should immediately intervene in the matter to avoid unnecessary tension in the Karnataka-Goa border region.
Karnataka had designed the project in 2000 to divert 7.56 tmc of water from Kalasa and Banduri tributaries of Mahadayi river to Malaprabha reservoir to meet drinking water needs in northern Karnataka. The river originates in Karnataka and passes through Maharasthra and Goa and finally flows into the Arabian Sea. The Centre gave in-principle clearance to the project in April 2002. Subsequently, in September, the water resources ministry kept the clearance in abeyance following objections from Goa, which claimed that Mahadayi was a deficit basin and water diversion would impact the environment.
Talking to FE, Malaprabha Farmers Union president, Basavaraj S Bommai, said the report of the Central Water Commission showed that the yield in Mahadayi was 200 tmc. Karnataka’s share is estimated at 45 tmc, of which the state is seeking only 7.5 tmc for drinking water purposes. But due to objections from Goa, the entire 200 tmc is being wasted by allowing it to flow into the sea.
The JD(S)-BJP coalition government believes the Centre would not object when it starts project work since it is essentially a drinking water project for north Karnataka.
The government’s action comes in the wake of its plan to make Hubli-Dharwad the IT hub of north Karnataka. Acute water shortage in the Hubli-Dharwad area is threatening its industrial prospects.
The issue became sensitive after farmers of Malaprabha command area set a month’s deadline for the state to start the project. The farmers, supported by the state’s powerful seers from various Hindu mutts, have threatened to take up construction work on their own if the government delays.
Meanwhile, Goa has requested the Prime Minister to restrain Karnataka from proceeding. If Karnataka is not restrained, Goa may approach the apex court seeking directions for staying the project and the setting up of a tribunal.
The Hindu.com
JAISHANKAR JAYARAMIAH
Posted online: Monday, August 14, 2006 at 0000 hours IST
BANGALORE: The Centre’s delay in taking a final decision on the Kalasa-Banduri Nala water project has forced Karnataka to go ahead with it, with or without central nod. The state will start work on the project on October 2. However, political observers feel the Centre should immediately intervene in the matter to avoid unnecessary tension in the Karnataka-Goa border region.
Karnataka had designed the project in 2000 to divert 7.56 tmc of water from Kalasa and Banduri tributaries of Mahadayi river to Malaprabha reservoir to meet drinking water needs in northern Karnataka. The river originates in Karnataka and passes through Maharasthra and Goa and finally flows into the Arabian Sea. The Centre gave in-principle clearance to the project in April 2002. Subsequently, in September, the water resources ministry kept the clearance in abeyance following objections from Goa, which claimed that Mahadayi was a deficit basin and water diversion would impact the environment.
Talking to FE, Malaprabha Farmers Union president, Basavaraj S Bommai, said the report of the Central Water Commission showed that the yield in Mahadayi was 200 tmc. Karnataka’s share is estimated at 45 tmc, of which the state is seeking only 7.5 tmc for drinking water purposes. But due to objections from Goa, the entire 200 tmc is being wasted by allowing it to flow into the sea.
The JD(S)-BJP coalition government believes the Centre would not object when it starts project work since it is essentially a drinking water project for north Karnataka.
The government’s action comes in the wake of its plan to make Hubli-Dharwad the IT hub of north Karnataka. Acute water shortage in the Hubli-Dharwad area is threatening its industrial prospects.
The issue became sensitive after farmers of Malaprabha command area set a month’s deadline for the state to start the project. The farmers, supported by the state’s powerful seers from various Hindu mutts, have threatened to take up construction work on their own if the government delays.
Meanwhile, Goa has requested the Prime Minister to restrain Karnataka from proceeding. If Karnataka is not restrained, Goa may approach the apex court seeking directions for staying the project and the setting up of a tribunal.
