Mahadayi Project: Legal Expert Blames Administrative Inaction for Delay
Belagavi: The Centre’s approval and political will remain crucial for the implementation of the long-pending Mahadayi project, said senior Supreme Court advocate and water expert Mohan Kataraki.
Interacting with leaders of Kannada organisations here on Wednesday, Kataraki said the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal had allocated 3.9 tmcft of water to Karnataka and that the award has been notified in the official gazette by the central government, making it legally binding. He underlined that the Supreme Court has not imposed any explicit stay on the project, making it clear that the delay cannot be attributed to legal constraints but to administrative inaction.
Kataraki explained that nearly 45 tmcft of water is generated within Karnataka’s share of the Mahadayi basin, with total availability estimated at around 188 tmcft. While the state had sought 7.6 tmcft for drinking purposes, the tribunal allocated 3.9 tmcft. He emphasised that the gazette notification makes the allocation legally enforceable, granting Karnataka full rights to utilise its share.
Clarifying the legal position, Kataraki said that although the matter is under consideration in the Supreme Court, there is no explicit stay on the project. Therefore, the Centre should not cite pending litigation as a reason to withhold approval. He also pointed out that while Goa’s order is under judicial scrutiny, it does not dilute Karnataka’s legal entitlement.
Addressing environmental concerns, he said the project does not fall within any national park or wildlife sanctuary, though delays have arisen due to issues related to a proposed tiger corridor. While emphasising the need to protect wildlife movement, he stressed that such concerns should not halt a critical drinking water project. He added that the Karnataka government has proposed safeguards, including compensatory afforestation, to minimise environmental impact.
He urged the state government to move beyond routine correspondence and assert its legal rights more firmly before the Centre. With the tribunal award, gazette notification and institutional mechanisms favouring Karnataka, he called for united pressure from the government, elected representatives and the public to secure early approval.
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