Team Herald
MAYEM: The hearing of the Mahadayi water dispute commenced on Friday, with Goa’s Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni alleging before the Tribunal that the project was illegal, and such, should be stopped immediately.
He brought to the tribunal’s notice six facts as to how the construction of the Virdi dam by Maharashtra was illegal. First, the project had no environmental clearance. Second, the shifting of the dam site from Halter to Kattika was illegal.
Third, Maharashtra proposed to construct eight dams, thereby blocking water from entering Goa. Fourth, it would adversely affect the drinking water schemes on the Valvanti river.
Fifth, there was no clearance from the planning commission or the central government. Finally, Maharashtra couldn’t construct a dam until the shares of water were decided by the tribunal.
He urged the tribunal to direct the government of Maharashtra to stop the work on the Virdi dam immediately.
The arguments commenced at 11 am and concluded at 5.30 pm. Another hearing has been fixed for May 5, for a reply on behalf of Maharashtra and subsequently a rejoinder on behalf of Goa.
The advocate general was assisted by Advocates Pratap Venugopal, Dattaprasad Lawande, Davidas Pangam, Pankaj Vernekar, and other advocates from the Mahadayi legal team.
