Panaji: Goa government received a major blow today after Central government granted Environment Clearance (EC) to Karnataka’s Kalasa Banduri project on the Mahadayi River.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) Prakash Javdekar tweeted that “On the follow up o my cabinet colleague @JoshiPralhad (Union Mines Minister), Kalasa Banduri drinking water project in Karnataka has been granted environmental approval,”.
The decision has been slammed by Goa Forward Party (GFP) President Vijai Sardesai who called the move to ‘Kill Mahadayi River’.
“Shocked and Outraged. This is no drinking water project. This is ‘Kill Mahadayi River’ project. A plan we, as a party and as partners in government, fought tooth and nail,” he tweeted.
“The diversion of water from Mhadei is inexcusable, unjustified and an affront to all goemkars,” Goa Forward Party President tweeted.
Sardesai has question stand of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on the matter. “There is no better way to kill Goa’s flora and fauna then to build on Mhadei and divert water. Something the former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar realised as dangerous,” he stated.
“What is the current Chief Minister’s stand? Goa and Goemkars who love Mhadei as their own mother are waiting for an answer,” Sardesai said.
