Karnataka seeks to submit DPR for diversion of Mahadayi water

The Karnataka government on Thursday contended before the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal that it should be allowed to submit its detailed project report (DPR) for diversion of 7 TMC ft of surplus water available at Kotni dam.

It said no state should utilise any water from the proposed projects without obtaining approval or clearances under the provisions of the Central Acts.

Advancing arguments on behalf of Karnataka, its counsel Mohan V Katarki submitted before a bench presided over by Justice J M Panchal that the central government should constitute a supervisory committee headed by a retired officer of the rank of secretary and four technical members each nominated by Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa and the Centre for the purpose.

The states of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa should submit their detailed project reports for the various projects totalling not more than 14.98 tmcft, 6.34 tmcft and 85.366 tmcft respectively to the Central Water Commission for its technical appraisal, it said.

"Once the complaint of Goa filed on July 9, 2002, stands dismissed, there is no impediment in permitting the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra from proceeding with their plans to divert water namely 14.98 TMC ft and 6.34 TMC ft, respectively," it said.

The Karnataka government further maintained that following the water balance study of the whole Mahadayi basin on the yield estimated by the CWC in 2003 as 199.6 tmcft, the interest of Goa will not be affected prejudicially.