Water disputes tribunal agrees to visit Kalasa site

KERI: The Mhadei water disputes tribunal Wednesday agreed to visit the site of the Kalasa project in Kankumbi, Karnataka, where Karnataka has completed a major part of construction of underground canals and channels to divert the Mhadei water to the Malaprabha basin.
Speaking to TOI from Delhi, water resources department chief engineer Sandip Nadkarni said, “Members of the tribunal have agreed to a site visit in the Mhadei basin where Karnataka has started work on the project.This visit will probably happen in the last week of November or in the first week December.”
Goa government requested the tribunal to visit the sites where Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd has been excavating canals and constructing underground channels at Kankumbi since 2006.
Besides a site visit, Goa government had pleaded that the tribunal stay the work of the Kalasa canal.
The tribunal was set up by the Centre following the state government’s strong demand to resolve the issue. It was Goa’s contention that the state’s lifeline would be badly hit if Mhadei water was diverted.
The Mhadei water disputes tribunal, under the chairmanship of Justice J M Panchal, began hearings on the issue on Tuesday at New Delhi. Bench members, Justice Vinay Mittal and Justice (retd) P S Narayana, were also present. Senior advocate PS Narsimha appeared for Goa in the matter.