PANJIM: In a major development in favour of the Goa government, the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal has restrained Maharashtra from proceeding with the work of Kattika nullah dam in Virdhi. The interim order delivered by the tribunal on Wednesday has also directed Maharashtra government to submit all information related to the project to its counterparts in Goa.
Nodal Secretary Parimal Rai said that the interim order directs stopping all works in the river basin.
Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni, appearing on behalf of Goa government had pressed for ad interim reliefs fearing a Karnataka like situation. “It’s a proud moment for Goa and Goans to secure Mhadei waters lifeline of the State. Maharashtra has been directed to stop the work on trans basin diversion at Virdhi. Goa and more so every Goan must take great interest in the ongoing Mhadei Tribunal dispute to succeed in protecting our water resources,” Nadkarni said.
The State had approached the Tribunal opposing the ongoing work in Virdhi citing it will have serious implications on the fragile eco-system of Goa. Through the construction of the Kattika nullah dam, Maharashtra wanted to create live storage of 14.138 mcm of water.
In 2006, the proposal of dam at Pavalachi kond which was just 500m away from Goa’s border was agreed to in principle by then chief minister, Pratapsing Rane, on condition the water was to be utilized in the Mhadei basin and efforts should be made to raise the height of the dam and divert additional water to the Anjunem dam. However, Maharashtra changed the location of dam and unilaterally began work on the Kattika nullah dam without taking Goa into confidence.
Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan’s Nirmala Sawant submitted a memorandum to then water resource minister Felipe Neri Rodrigues, opposing the project and as per his directives, the then chief engineer of Goa wrote a letter to the chief engineer of Maharashtra on December 28, 2007, asking to halt the construction and regulation of the project upstream of the Mhadei basin as it may affect Goa’s equitable share.
The fight to stop Virdhi dam
THE GIVEAWAY: No objection to Maharashtra constructing the dam was given in 2006 by Goa CM Pratapsing Rane with conditions. Maharashtra used this to defend the construction of the dam when Goa started raising objections
THE OBJECTION: After BJP came to power in 2012 Goa upped the ante on stopping the construction of the Virdhi dam on the Maharashtra side
THE STRATEGY: Goa moved the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal citing it will have serious implications on the fragile eco-system of Goa
Chief engineer of Goa wrote a letter to the chief engineer of Maharashtra on December 28, 2007, asking to halt the construction and regulation of the project upstream of the Mhadei basin as it may affect Goa’s equitable share.
