Environmentalist and Mahadayi Bachao Andolan leader Rajendra Kerkar has urged the Central Government to intervene immediately to safeguard the Mahadayi River, criticising Union Minister Pralhad Joshi for suggesting that the petitions related to the Mahadayi water dispute pending before the Supreme Court be withdrawn.
Addressing the media in Bicholim, Kerkar described the Minister’s remarks as “unfortunate” and contrary to Goa’s interests. He said the Centre must act to protect the river while ensuring the interests of all three states involved in the dispute are fairly addressed.
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Kerkar recalled that the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal had, in 2018, allocated 24 TMC of water to Goa, 13.42 TMC to Karnataka and 1.33 TMC to Maharashtra. He pointed out that all three states have challenged the tribunal’s award before the Supreme Court, where the matter is still pending. In such a situation, he said, advising the withdrawal of the petitions was inappropriate.
Alleging that Karnataka has continued to politicise the issue, Kerkar claimed the state has, over the past five years, been diverting the natural flow of the Mahadayi from Kankumbi into the Malaprabha basin. According to him, the diversion has reduced the river’s flow into Goa and poses a serious threat to its long-term survival.
He further stated that Karnataka’s engineers had earlier proposed diverting Mahadayi waters to augment storage in the Saundatti Dam. While Karnataka has access to the Krishna River and several other water sources, Kerkar maintained that the Mahadayi remains Goa’s lifeline and must be protected.
Referring to the Mahadayi Flow Authority meeting held on July 10, Kerkar said Goa Government Secretary S.S. Gill had sought a joint inspection of the Kalsa project involving representatives from Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra. However, he alleged that Karnataka has not cooperated, and despite the authority seeking the opinion of the Central Water Commission, the issue remains unresolved.
Kerkar also criticised the Mahadayi Flow Authority for failing to perform its expected role, alleging that the Central Government has favoured Karnataka in the dispute. He called on the Goa Government to adopt a stronger and more assertive stand to protect the Mahadayi, describing the river as vital to the state’s future and ecological security.
