Team Herald
PANJIM: Expressing concern over Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s statement on Mhadei diversion work, social activist Xencor Polgi on Monday raised apprehensions that there will be no water left for consumption.
Siddaramaiah, while presenting the State budget reportedly said that the government has awarded a contract for Mhadei diversion project with certain conditions and the work for the project will commence as soon as possible.
“Mhadei is the water which we use for drinking purposes. If we do not save it today then we will not get water for drinking. That is why activists are calling for protection of the river. But the government thinks that the activists are holding political meetings,” Polgi said.
He questioned if the matter is sub-judice then how the Karnataka Chief Minister is mentioning the issue in his budget speech and saying that a contractor has been appointed for carrying out the diversion work.
“It means that the government is not serious on the Mhadei river issue. Hills are being destroyed, agricultural fields are being converted and mega projects are being brought into the State. If these mega projects are being given water then also Mhadei will have to be protected,” he said.
However, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the State Government is serious about the Mhadei matters and that he does not feel the need to comment on the budget of Karnataka.
“Why should I comment on the Karnataka budget? I am reiterating that the government is serious about Mhadei matters. The matter is in the Supreme Court. We are fighting the matter with due force,” he said.
Siddaramaiah in his budget presented on March 7, 2025, had reportedly said that the contract for the Kalasa-Bhandura diversion project has already been awarded and that the work will start as soon as approval is received from the Centre.