Centre: K’taka Mhadei diversion work hydrologically acceptable

Panaji: The Union Jal Shakti ministry, in its reply to a non-resident Goan, has said that Karnataka’s diversion of the Mhadei’s Kalasa and Bhandura tributaries have been found acceptable from hydrology and inter-state aspects.
Floyd Dias do Rosario had written to the ministry asking it to reconsider the sanction granted to the detailed project report (DPR) given to Karnataka. However, the Jal Shakti ministry has stated that the approvals are subject to strict compliance to certain conditions.
“In this regard, it is submitted based on technical appraisal by Central Water Commission (CWC), the detailed project reports of Kalasa nullah diversion scheme and Bhandura nullah diversion scheme have already been found acceptable from hydrology and inter-state aspects, subject to certain strict compliance to certain conditions which was communicated to project authorities on December 29, 2022. Further, this office has no further comments on the issues raised in the grievance/petition,” the ministry’s response states.
Do Rosario had said in his petition to the Prime Minister’s office that if Karnataka is allowed to divert the water, it will “kill our river”.
The Union ministry has shared with Do Rosario the Central Water Commission’s appraisal of the project reports of Karnataka, which states that the commission has only looked at preliminary operational aspects and it has still to be ensured that the designs meet the requirements as per the award of the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal.
“As per guidelines, only hydrology and inter-state aspects are to be seen by the CWC. Therefore, only some preliminary operational aspects have been seen in CWC. However, project authorities are to ensure all designs to be in consonance with the award,” the CWC has said in its appraisal.
The commission has also told Karnataka (in its report appraisal) that the acceptance from hydrology and inter-state aspects as per guidelines of the CWC ‘shall be subject to the decision in the proceedings before the Supreme Court in the special leave petitions’ filed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa against the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal’s August 2018 award.