Kalasa-Banduri: Joint team inspects area for second time

Joint Monitoring Team of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra visited Mahadayi project site at Kanakumbi in Khanapur taluk for the second time on Friday after Goa alleged in the Supreme Court that Karnataka has diverted waters of River Mahadayi and inspected the Kalasa canal works undertaken by the state.

The team prepared a report on the Kalasa canal works and it could not come to a unanimous decision. Water Resources Department officials of the state prepared the factual report. But the Goa officials refused to sign the report and returned, while Maharashtra officials informed of preparing their own report, sources said.

The apex court, after hearing Goa's allegations that Karnataka has diverted Mahadayi river water, had directed the formation of the Joint Monitoring Team comprising superintending engineers of the three states to inspect the works and submit a report within four weeks.

Karnataka nominated Malaprabha Left Bank Canal Circle, Naviluthirtha superintending engineer Krishnoji Rao, Maharashtra nominated South Konkan Irrigation Project Circle Sindhudurganagri superintending engineer Vijaykumar Thorat and Goa nominated Water Resources Department Karaswada superintending engineer circle office-II M K Prasad as its member for the Joint Monitoring Team.

The team could not prepare its report during their previous visit as the Goan delegation members had reportedly entered into altercations with Water Resources Department and police officials.

The team had asked for preventing the entry of other officials, the public and media during the visit.