The Mahadayi river water dispute has once again intensified into a heated legal and political conflict between Karnataka and Goa, with both states fiercely defending their claims over the river’s waters.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday underscored the river’s significance, saying, “For everyone, Mahadayi is a political issue, but for Goa, Mahadayi is our lifeline.” He emphasised that the Goa government is actively presenting its case before the Supreme Court, the central government, and the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal, arguing that the river’s flow into Goa must remain uninterrupted, as it sustains both the people and the Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary, reported ANI.
On the contrary, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah accused Goa’s leadership and the central government of obstructing the project. In a post on X, Siddaramaiah wrote, “The Goa CM`s remark on the Mahadayi project is an insult to the people of Karnataka. Why hasn`t the Union Govt officially communicated any concerns? Is this how federalism works under BJP? Backdoor sabotage, silence, and betrayal? What crime have Kannadigas committed? Are we being punished for not surrendering to the BJP? Mahadayi is not for luxury or waste; it is for the drinking water needs of North Karnataka,” reported ANI.
“For decades, our people have waited for justice. But the leaders of the BJP in the Janata Dal in Karnataka have no spine to speak up. Their silence today will be remembered tomorrow,” he added.
The Mahadayi River originates in Karnataka’s Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and flows through Goa before draining into the Arabian Sea. Karnataka has proposed diverting 7.56 TMC of water from the river to the Malaprabha valley under the Kalasa-Banduri project, aiming to provide drinking water to over 40 lakh people in North Karnataka, including Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, and Bagalkot, as reported by ANI.
Further striking the controversy, Karnataka Minister H.K. Patil revealed that Goa’s Chief Minister had told the assembly that Union Minister Bhupender Yadav assured Goa that the Centre would not permit Karnataka to proceed with the Mahadayi diversion project. Patil called the reported assurance “shocking and against the people of Karnataka,” demanding that the Centre grant clearance to begin project work, reported ANI.
Meanwhile, Goa is preparing to file a contempt petition in the Supreme Court, accusing Karnataka of taking steps to divert the river’s water in violation of court directives. Karnataka plans to raise the issue in its upcoming monsoon session starting August 11.
(Inputs from ANI)