Mhadei verdict : Karnataka gets 13.5 TMC, but only 3.9 TMC diversion

 Karnataka had asked for diversion of 7.56 TMC feet of water from Mhadei to Malprabha. But the tribunal has allowed only 3.9 TMC feet, only for drinking purpose. No diversion for irrigation.

And the total allocation to Karnataka is only 13.5 TMC feet, but rest of it is within the Mhadei basin.

Justice J M Panchal delivered a judgement with total 12 volumes and 2711 pages. Neither Goa nor Karnataka has fully studied it. But in short, as per our information, this is the allocation of Mhadei river to Karnataka,

which originates in the southern state with 30 kms and then in Goa for almost 80 kms, till river Mandovi meets the Arabian sea. The verdict says:

Karnataka had asked for total allocation of 35 TMC feet, but tribunal has allocated only 13.5 TMC feet. And the break up is like this. Only 4 TMC feet of water would be diverted from Mhadei to Malprabha for drinking water purpose.

Another 1.5 TMC water would be allowed be used for drinking purpose, only in Mhadei region.

This is for Kankumbi and Nerse villages. And Karnataka is also allowed to use 8.2 TMC feet of water, within the Mhadei basin, to generate power through hydro-electric project. 

Additional Solicitor General Atmaram Nadkarni was arguing the case when he was Goa’s advocate general, along with young team of lawyers. He says Karnataka cannot divert even the allocated water unless it takes all the permissions and a modified PDR is prepared.

According to Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan Secretary Rajendra Kerkar, who actually alerted the government as well as all the Goans, feels that Goa has to be now more alert.