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Maharashtra roped into
Goa-Karnataka water dispute

Maharashtra has been roped into the water dispute between Karnataka and Goa.

By diverting water from the Mhadei, which originates in the forests of the southern state, Karnataka plans to construct seven dams and three hydroelectric projects. As a result, Goa will be affected the most as the river, also known as the Mandovi, will literally dry up.

According to State Irrigation Minister Ramakant Khalap, part of the Mhadei falls into Maharashtra and Karnataka's diversion plans will thus also affect Sindhudurg district. Goa is placed in between both states.

He has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to take up the issue. Khalap also plans to meet Deshmukh, urging him to study the issue and oppose Karnataka's plans.

S D Sayanak, irrigation chief engineer, said that Goa covers a major catchment area of 1580 sq km of the Mhadei basin, while Karnataka covers 375 sq km and the catchment area in Maharashtra is 76 sq km.

The Valvanti of Sanquelim in Goa originates in Karnataka as the Haltar and then goes to Maharashtra as the Virdi, before flowing down to the tourist state. The plan of the southern state to construct the Kalsa-Haltar dam will thus affect both states, said Sayanak.

While constituting an expert committee to study the issue, Khalap has also sought Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's intervention.

Khalap agreed with the fear expressed by Goa pradesh Congress committee president Nirmala Sawant, who is also convenor of the Mhadei Bachao Andolan, that these dams could be harmful in view of concern expressed by seismologists that more dams and hydroelectric projects could cause more earthquakes.

Stating that the issue would be made part of tripartite discussions he is planning, Khalap said no government can now think of any kind of structure -- a building or a dam -- without taking into consideration the threat of an earthquake.

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Goa Congress leaders raise doubts about Karnataka dams

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