Alleging that the Karnataka government has illegally taken up Kalasa-Banduri project without  Centre’s permission, Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has said that his government will not allow the work to go on the project.

Speaking to Deccan Herald during his brief halt in Belgaum on Monday, Mr Kamat said Goa wanted the issue of diverting Mahadayi water to be settled only by a tribunal.  “We have already impressed upon the Centre to set up a tribunal to take the matter to a logical end,'' he added.

He expressed dissatisfaction over commencement of work on the project near Khanapur and said “Kalasa-Banduri project is illegal. We have brought this to the notice of the Centre. We will not allow anybody to divert water from Goa in such a manner.” He ruled out the possibility of the two states coming to an understanding on the Kalasa-Banduri project.

When asked as to why Goa was not for diversion of just 7.5 tmc feet of water from Mahadayi to Malaprabha when a large quantity of water was entering the sea, Mr Kamat said “it is not the case. Goa is not wasting its water. I feel only a tribunal could come up with a right decision.”

He said Karnataka should understand that “sentiments are very strong in Goa whenever the issue if Mandovi river (it is called like that in Goa) comes up. The river has been the lifeline of Goans for long. It's unfair to divert its water illegally,” he added.

On the other side, the Karnataka government has already stated that it was vital for Karnataka to get the Kalasa-Banduri project implemented to tide over water crisis in parts of North Karnataka.

The state also has been exerting pressure on the Centre to get this project started. The NDA government had brought a stay on this project after the Goa government raised objections.