Mahadayi Bachao Abhiyaan calls tribunal ruling unfortunate

While the Goa government welcomed the verdict by the Mahadayi River Water Dispute Tribunal today, Mahadayi Bachao Abhiyaan (MBA) said it was not in the state's favour.

Ending a protracted dispute, the tribunal today ordered that Karnataka will get 13.4 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water from the river, while Goa and Maharashtra will be allowed to use 24 TMC and 1.33 TMC, respectively.

Nirmala Sawant, president of MBA, an outfit which has opposed diversion of the river water by neighbouring states from the beginnning, said the verdict was "unfortunate".

"The government of Karnataka should not have been allowed to divert water from the basin to Malaprabha," she said.

Sawant added that the 1.5 TMC of water which has been allotted for consumption within the basin is not sufficient for farmers living along the river, while a major share will be diverted to the Malaprabha river.

Goa's share of 24 TMC water will not suffice for navigational purposes, she said, adding that the diversion of water is likely to change the environmental aspect of the river.

The Goa government should challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court opposing the diversion of water to another basin and seeking increase in the state's share, Sawant said.

Senior MBA leader and environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar said it was not a victory for Goa as Karnataka has been allowed to divert the waters of Kalsa and Bhandura tributaries to the Malaprabha.

"After diversion of 5.5 TMC of water, the condition of Mahadayi river would worsen," said Kerkar.

Earlier, Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar welcomed the tribunal's decision, saying it did justice to the state.