NEW DELHI: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday strongly objected to recent remarks by Goa CM Pramod Sawant on the Mahadayi river water project, calling them an “insult to the people of Karnataka.”Siddaramaiah said that Karnataka would fight “legally, politically, and morally until Karnataka gets its rightful share” in the project.“The Goa CM’s remark on the Mahadayi project is an insult to the people of Karnataka. Why hasn’t the Union government 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?” he posted on X.“Mahadayi is not for luxury or waste, it is for the drinking water needs of North Karnataka. For decades, our people have waited for justice,” he added.The remarks came after Sawant told the Goa Assembly that Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav had assured him the Centre would not, under any circumstances, clear the Mahadayi project — also known as the Kalasa-Banduri project.Karnataka law and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil also strongly responded to Sawant’s statement, saying the Goa CM’s comments on the project have come as a “shock” to Karnataka.Patil urged the Centre to immediately grant approval for the project, keeping in mind the interests and needs of the people and farmers of the region. “Despite no judicial hindrances, Karnataka faces unnecessary obstacles in implementing legitimate, legal, and constitutionally protected projects, which is unjust in a federal system,” said Patil.Karnataka had initially sought to divert 7.6 tmc ft of water from the Kalasa-Banduri project to the Malaprabha basin. However, while permitting the inter-basin diversion, the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal sanctioned only 3.9 tmc ft.Karnataka later submitted a proposal to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) seeking clearance to proceed with the project. The Goa government objected, citing that 10.6 hectares of forest land involved in the project falls within the Kali and Sahyadri tiger reserve zones.NTCA recommended use of this forest area on January 23, 2024.Water from the Kalasa and Banduri nalas feeds into the Mahadayi River, which originates near Kanakumbi village in Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district, Karnataka. After flowing around 29 km within Karnataka, the river enters Goa, where it is known as the Mandovi.
