Panaji: As the members of Progressive River Authority for Water and Harmony (PRAWAH) began inspection of Mahadayi basin on Thursday (July 4), Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant said that the visit is crucial for Goa as it will uncover the truth before the authority.
“The MAHADAYI PRAWAH members will conduct a detailed site inspection of the Mhadei Basin which will familiarise them with the on ground facts about the extent of work undertaken by the Karnataka Govt,” the chief minister wrote on X account on Thursday evening.
Sawant further wrote “The inspection is crucial for Goa as it will uncover the truth before the PRAWAH members. This is an outcome of our continuous efforts to protect Mhadei which will strengthen our case and vindicate our stand.”
The members of PRAWAH began inspection of Mahadayi basin in Goa on Thursday in presence of officials from Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka, Goa Water Resources Department minister Subhash Shirodkar told GNH on Friday.
He said that the inspection will continue till July 8.
Shirodkar said that the Goa leg of the inspection will be conducted across all the tributaries of Mahadayi and water augmentation projects, that would be affected, if Karnataka dams the river.
As per schedule released by Goa chief minister’s office, the members will visit Karnataka side of the river on July 7 and 8 during which they will inspect Haltara and Kalsa tributaries. The schedule also mentions that they will be visiting dam sites at Kankumbi and Kotni both in Karnataka.
The central government constituted the Progressive River Authority for Water and Harmony (PRAWAH) last year to enable the compliance and implementation of the award and decisions of the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal.
The Mhadei river originates in Karnataka and runs through Maharashtra into Goa meeting the Arabian Sea near Panaji.
Goa and Karnataka are locked in a dispute over the diversion of the river water. Goa has filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the order of an inter-state water dispute tribunal for sharing the river water.
