The Mahadayi Progressive River Authority for Welfare and Harmony (Prawah) has formally requested the Goa government to allocate suitable permanent office premises, highlighting a critical need for stable infrastructure to manage the interstate river basin's affairs. This appeal was made during the authority's fifth meeting, convened in Delhi on Wednesday.
Push for a Permanent Base in Goa
Currently operating from a temporary setup within the Water Resources Department (WRD) complex in Porvorim, the authority emphasized the urgency of securing a dedicated office. Prawah members explicitly informed the Goa government that the allotment should not face further delays. The state was represented at the virtual meeting by key officials including WRD Secretary Sarpreet Singh Gill, WRD Chief Engineer Dnyaneshwar Salelkar, and Deelip Naik from the Mhadei cell.
Streamlining Project Approvals in the Basin
The meeting saw the confirmation of the minutes from the fourth session, which was held in Bengaluru in April. A significant portion of the discussions focused on finalizing the procedural framework for clearing new minor irrigation and drinking water schemes submitted by the three stakeholder states—Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
While the authority has already received comments from Karnataka, Maharashtra's suggestions are still pending. In light of this, Goa has been granted an additional month to submit its inputs on the proposed procedures. Once all states provide their feedback, Prawah will consolidate and finalize the detailed process for project approvals within the ecologically sensitive Mhadei basin.
Data Collection and Organizational Strengthening
In a move to ensure informed decision-making, the authority has directed all three states to compile and submit comprehensive data. This includes:
- Salient features of all major, medium, and minor irrigation and water supply schemes—both completed and ongoing—within the Mhadei basin.
- Relevant hydrometeorological and water resources data linked to these projects and sites.
Furthermore, to enhance its operational capacity, Prawah decided to take necessary steps to complete its approved organizational structure, which comprises a total of 45 posts. This staffing framework is deemed essential for the authority's effective day-to-day functioning and long-term mission of managing the Mahadayi/Mhadei river waters harmoniously.
