While calling for a study on the salinity in Mhadei River in view of proposed diversion of water, Centre has refused Goa’s request for that Mahatrashtra and Karnataka should seek its consent for the project sighting the Tribunal judgement.
Union Minister for jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat ina letter to the Chief Minister said that Government of Karnataka has recently submitted feasibility reports of Kalasa Nala Diversion Scheme and Bhandura Naia Diversion Scheme to Central Water Commission (CWC), and these are under appraisal as per the existing CWC guidelines and as per the directions/order given in the Report-am Decision of MWDT.
“Regarding prior consent of the lower riparian State, you may kindly refer to the Report-cum-Decision of Mahadeyi Water Dispute dated 14.8.2018 (para 766 of volume VI), mentioning that “..this Tribunal has no hesitation in holding that the upper riparian States of Karnataka and Maharashtra, though do require requisite clearances and approvals, as required by law and from the Central Government, and the Planning Commission (Now Niti Aayog), but they do not require any prior consent of the lower riparian State of Goa and similarly the State of Maharashtra, being an upper riparian State vis-a vis the State of Goa, also does not require any such prior consent of the State of Goa,” the minister said.
About Goa’s reservations on increase in salinity if diversion is allowed, minister says, “taking into account the concerns raised by you regarding issue of salinity in Mahadayi River, this Ministry has assigned National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee to take up the study of salinity of river Mahadayi and submit a report to this Ministry.”