Mahadayi project hits another snag as Centre ties clearance to Supreme Court orders

New Delhi ; The much-awaited Mahadayi drinking water project suffered yet another setback as the Union government informed the state government that environmental clearances for the proposed inter-state river-linking project would only be provided after the Supreme Court intervenes in the tussle between Karnataka and Goa.

The announcement had sparked off dismay in north Karnataka as thousands of residents in the region, who have long waited for the project to address their drinking water needs, were once again kept waiting due to the ongoing legal wrangle. The project, which has been pending for close to a decade, is seen as crucial to meet the water needs of not only the twin cities of Hubballi and Dharwad but also hundreds of other villages and towns in Kittur Karnataka, in addition to meeting irrigation demands.

The dispute over the sharing of Mahadayi water between Karnataka and Goa has been going on for a while. The centre has constituted a Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal in 2010 and water shares were allocated to Karnataka in 2018. Since then, the state has been pushing for clearances for the project but it remains stuck due to the legal battle between the two states.

The Karnataka Neeravari Nigam had got the Detailed Project Report (DPR) approved by the government. However, the project awaits the necessary forest and wildlife clearances. Meanwhile, Goa has been against the proposed project due to its possible impact on wildlife. The state has opposed the project in courts while the Karnataka government sought intervention from the courts to clear the project.

The Karnataka government has opposed the decision taken by the Union government and conveyed the same in the letter, pointing out that the state has moved the court to provide environmental clearances for the project.

"In the meanwhile, the proposal for diversion of forest has been returned to us and shall await the directions from the Supreme Court," read the letter from the Union government to the Karnataka Neeravari Nigam.

While political leaders in the state have been celebrating the Union government's decision to approve the Mahadayi project, the then government has prepared a DPR worth nearly Rs 2,000 crores and has commenced some work on the project, the same were halted due to the legal battle.

Mahadayi movement coordinator Babajan Mudhol said that the announcement made by the Union government in this regard was disappointing as he felt that the State government as well as the Centre should have worked towards fast-tracking the work on the much-awaited project. "Why have the Members of Parliament representing Karnataka failed to bring about an amicable solution between Karnataka and Goa to ensure that the water gets to Karnataka as soon as possible?"

Meanwhile, residents as well as farmers in Dharwad, Belagavi, Gadag and the surrounding districts have been demanding that the State and the Centre should work together to ensure that the drinking water project gets completed at the earliest.