Mahadayi water diversion: Jarkiholi allays fears of people from North Karnataka

SC ordered joint inspection by superintendent engineers from Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra after Goa alleged that waters of river Mahadayi were being diverted

Water Resources Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi allayed fears of people from North Karnataka regarding a Supreme Court ordering joint inspection by superintendent engineers from Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra after Goa alleged that waters of river Mahadayi were being diverted into the river Malaprabha.

Jarkiholi said that the apex court sees all states equivalently and has asked for a joint inspection by Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra regarding allegations of water diversion made by Goa to bring facts to the fore.

He told reporters in Belagavi on Monday that there was no need for people to fear the court ordering a joint inspection. "Goa has made false allegations against us and facts from the joint investigation will leave Goa exposed," he said.

"Waters of river Mahadayi were flowing at a lower level and the canal was at an upper level. We need a dam to pump the waters towards our side into river Malaprabha. Retaining the wall constructed as per earlier SC orders too was intact. During the next hearing, allegations will be laid to rest. We have also deputed our superintendent engineer for the joint inspection as per the orders of the Supreme Court which shows we are fair and have not violated earlier orders," he added.

Regarding works not taking off despite getting clearance from Forest and Environment Department, Jarkiholi said, "Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa had allocated Rs 500 crore in the previous budget after getting clearance, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, work could not take off. As it is an inter-state project, we need Central Water Commission (CWC) clearance too. We have been taking up the issue with CWC and after getting its clearance, work will begin."

After the by-elections, Union Water Resources Minister Gajendra Singh Shekawat will convene a meeting of all three states to resolve the water-sharing issues. In a federal set up, neighbouring states cannot keep on fighting and have to live with harmony.

Jarkiholi denied reacting to statements by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee Spokesperson and MLA Laxmi Hebbalkar that she would contest the coming assembly election from Gokak if her party asks her.