Team Herald
PANJIM: Caught napping once again, the Goa government shaken up by Karnataka Government’s order for implementation of a hydro power project using water at the disputed Mahadayi river basin, has nowsought clarification from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti whether it has granted any approval for the project.
According to an order issued in February 2022, the Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has given approval to the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited to implement the Mahadayi Hydro Power Project, as per the final verdict of the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal.
The Karnataka Government order cites the final report of the MWDT stating that Karnataka can make use of 8.02 tmc water for power generation.
Speaking to Herald, State Water Resources Department (WRD) Chief Engineer Pramod Badami said that department has sought clarification from the Union Ministry on the project approval.
“We have taken the cognisance of the Karnataka government order but before commenting anything further, I would say that so far this looks like internal affairs of the Karnataka government,” he said.
Badami said that as per their information, the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti has not granted any approval for the project but still we have sought clarification from them.
“The Mahadayi Tribunal Award is been challenged in the Supreme Court and pending that, Karnataka cannot undertake any work on ground,” he explained.
The Chief Engineer said that State will also place on record the Karnataka order on hydropower project before the Supreme Court when the matter comes up for hearing next. “Karnataka can issue any order but it will not have any impact on us still Central government and Supreme Court clears the project,” Badami said.
Meanwhile, highly placed sources confirmed to Herald that the project is still in the preliminary stage and a detailed project report (DPR) needs to be prepared along with cost estimation. “The order is issued by Karnataka government, who is under pressure from the opposition parties, on implementation of various water resources project in their State,” sources said.
The MWDT in its August 14, 2018 award, which the Centre notified in February 2020, the tribunal allocated 13.42 tmcft of water to Karnataka, which includes 5.40 tmcft for consumption.
Of the 13.42 tmcft water for Karnataka, 5.5 tmcft is meant for use within the river basin and for diversion to the Malaprabha reservoir, and around 8 tmcft for power generation. Goa, which had opposed Karnataka’s demand for over 36tmcft of water, was allocated 24 tmcft, while Maharashtra was given 1.3 tmcft.
The Award was, however challenged by all the three States before the Supreme Court in 2019. In February 2020, in a major setback to Goa, the Apex Court granted an interim relief to the Karnataka government, allowing it to implement the final order of the MWDT, pending final order.
