Daijiworld Special Correspondent – Goa (SM)

Panaji, July 25: The state government on Wednesday July 25, said that they have reviewed the proposed dam project across Mhadei River by Karnataka government which will cut off 14 kilometres’ area from Goa and dam substantiate water from the river.

“With the construction of Kalsa-Banduri project, the catchment area up to Kalsa dam on the tributary and catchment area up to Banduri nalla admeasuring around 14 kms will be cut off from the Mandovi (Mhadei) basin,’’ said Philip Nery Rodrigues water resources minister in a written reply on the floor of the house.

These areas fall on Goa-Karnataka border.

Karnataka’s plan to construct dams over Mhadei water basin has been opposed by the Goa government who has filed a suit in the Supreme Court.

The plea has requested the court to restrain Karnataka government from proceeding with any planning, construction and water regulation of any project in the Mandovi River basin involving trans-basin diversion of water until a tribunal adjudicates the inter-state dispute.

The minister, in a written reply to the ongoing state legislative assembly session, has said that the Supreme Court plea has also requested the court to direct union ministry of water resources to constitute Mandovi/Mhadei Inter-state River Water Dispute Tribunal.

Rodrigues said that though Karnataka is stating that they will divert 7.56 TMC of water from Kalsa and Bhanduri project, the total yield from the catchment area up to Kalsa and Bhanduri dam will be lost from flowing into Goa.

The Goa government in their SC plea has requested for directions from the central government and its agencies, planning commission or other government of India financing agencies not to give any clearances of financial assistance to this disputed project, mentioned a reply.