Kalasa Bhanduri project: K'taka to take final decision on July 17

Bangalore, June 29 (UNI) The Karnataka Government has convened a meeting of experts and senior leaders at Hubli on July 17 to take a final decision on the issue relating to the contentious Kalasa-Bhanduri drinking water project, opposed by Goa, Irrigation Minister K S Eshwarappa informed the Legislative Council today.

Replying to a question raised by JD(U) member M P Nadagouda on the project, he informed that the Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz had recently convened a meeting of three riparian states--Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka--to find an amicable solution to the issue.

Though no decision was arrived at the meeting, Karnataka had presented its case and sought the Centre to give its nod for the project, he added.

Mr Eshwarappa denied that Goa and Maharashtra had at the meeting agreed to resolve any differences between them over the Mahadayi basin projects.

Intervening, Leader of the Opposition H K Patil said over 200 TMC of water from river Kalasa-Bhanduri was going a waste into the Arabian sea.

Citing an the report of the Expert Committee, appointed by the state government, he said the project, if implemented, would not cause any ecological imbalance. Besides, Karnataka was only demanding 7.8 TMC of water for the project out of its legitimate share of 45 TMC, he added.

Mr Patil also informed that a delegation of Congress leaders had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his recent visit to state and urged him to give permisison for the project.

Congress member V S Ugrappa said of the 3000 TMC of water available to the state, it was utilising only 1,300 TMC due to lack of political will to utilise the resources fully.

He argued that there was no need to take permisison from the Centre or neighbouring states to implement such projects as it was meant only for providing drinking water.

Mr Basavaraj Bommai (JD-U) and Mr Mukya Mantri Chandru (BJP) also participated in the discussion.

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