Dhavalikar turns soft on Mhadei issue

PONDA: PWD minister Ramkrishna 'Sudin' Dhavalikar has softened his stand on releasing Mhadei water to Karnataka, saying that the government should think about Karnataka's demand for drinking water, considering that the matter is pending before the Mhadei water tribunal.
Additional solicitor general of India Atmaram Nadkarni has also suggested that the Goa can release 0.1 tmcft water to Karnataka, he said.

But, Ponda legislator Ravi Naik has categorically opposed the government's move to release water to Karnataka.

Terming chief minister Manohar Parrikar's decision as "totally wrong", Naik said the release of water would affect Goa tremendously.

Naik stated that diversion of Mhadei water to Karnataka would lead to drying up of areas surrounding the river basin.