While the Karnataka government has welcomed the news, the government in Goa, which also shares Mahadayi river water, has opposed the clearance.
Protest in Nargund for Kalasa Banduri project, 2015
The Union Environment Ministry on Wednesday granted environment clearance to the Kalasa-Banduri water diversion project across the Mahadayi river. "On the follow-up of my cabinet colleague @JoshiPrahlad, Kalasa-Banduri drinking water project in #Karnataka has been granted Environment Approval," Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar tweeted. <Tweet> The Karnataka government, which has been facing criticism for its handling of the floods in northern Karnataka, welcomed the news of the grant of environmental clearance. The Kalasa Banduri project proposes to divert water from the Mahadayi river from Kalasa and Banduri canals into the Malaprabha river. It aims to provide drinking water for 13 towns of Dharwad, Belagavi, Bagalkote and Gadag that is part of the arid northern region of Karnataka. The Goa government has taken the stand that the project violated the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal order. The Mahadayi river water is shared by Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra. The Opposition has demanded a special three-day Assembly session to discuss the issue. Former Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai, who heads the Goa Forward party, accused Sawant of failing the state by not taking up the case against the Kalasa-Banduri project with adequate vigour. "There's no better way to kill Goa's flora and fauna than to build a dam on the Mahadayi river and divert water. Goa and Goans who love and worship Mahadayi as mother are awaiting an answer, Sardesai said. Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat has called for a special session of the Assembly to discuss the issue. "The BJP governments at the Centre, Karnataka and Goa have conspired to sacrifice Mahadayi, the lifeline of Goa," state Congress chief Girish Chodankar said. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was circumspect on the issue. "I will study the matter before commenting," he said. The Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal after hearing the over two-decade dispute between Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra had in August 2018 allotted 13.42 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) to Karnataka and 1.33 TMC to Maharashtra. Both Karnataka and Goa expressed reservations over the award and moved the Supreme Court. The Goa government in a petition has also accused Karnataka of "illegally" building infrastructure to divert additional water from the Mhadei river basin. With IANS inputs
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