New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday strongly objected to the recent comments of Goa CM Pramod Sawant on Mahadai River Water Project, insulting the people of Karnataka “.,Siddaramaiah said that Karnataka would “legally, politically and morally fight until Karnataka gets its correct share in the project”.“Goa CM’s comment on Mahadai project is an insult to the people of Karnataka. Why the Union Government has not officially communicated any concern? Does this federalism works under the BJP? Backdoor sabotage, silence, and betrayal? Is the crime committed by Kannadigas? He posted on X.He said, “Mahadai is not for luxury or waste, it is for the drinking water needs of northern Karnataka. For decades, our people have waited for justice,” he said.Sowant told the Goa Legislative Assembly that Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav had assured him that the Center would not clean the Mahadai project under any circumstances-also known as the Kalasa-Banduri project.Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil also strongly responded to Sawant’s statement, saying that Goa CM’s comments on the project have come as a “jerk” to Karnataka.Patil urged the Center to provide immediate approval for the project, taking into account the interests and needs of the people and farmers of the region. Patil said, “Despite having no judicial obstacles, Karnataka faces unnecessary obstacles in implementing valid, legal and constitutionally protected projects, which is unjust in a federal system.”Karnataka initially demanded that 7.6 TMC feet of water be diverted from Kalasa-Banduri project to Malaprabha Basin. However, the Mahadai Water Disputes Tribunal approved only 3.9 TMC feet, allowing the inter-region diversion.Karnataka later submitted a resolution to the National Tiger Protection Authority (NTCA) and sought approval to proceed with the project. The Goa government objected that the 10.6 hectares of forest land involved in the project is within Kali and Sahedhari Tiger Reserve Zone.NTCA recommended the use of this forest area on 23 January 2024.Kalasa and Bunduri feeds water from Nalus to Mahadai River, which is near Kanakumbi village of Khanpur taluk in Belagavi district of Karnataka. After flowing about 29 km inside Karnataka, the river enters Goa, where it is known as Mandovi.
