Panaji | October 24, 2025

In a significant development in the long-standing Mahadayi river dispute between Goa and Karnataka, Goa’s Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar announced on Friday that the state government will approach the Supreme Court seeking permission to conduct a joint inspection of the contentious Kalasa-Banduri water diversion project. The proposed joint inspection aims to bring transparency to the issue and establish a common factual ground for further discussions among the three riparian states — Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra — that share the Mahadayi river basin.

Shirodkar made the announcement following a meeting of the legislative committee formed by the Goa Assembly to review developments related to the Mahadayi dispute. During the meeting, several members suggested that a joint inspection, involving representatives from the Progressive River Authority for Welfare and Harmony (PRAWAH), officials from all three concerned states, and independent experts, could help present a comprehensive report on the situation.

Goa Seeks Supreme Court Nod for Joint Inspection

“The committee had a detailed discussion today, and there were some very constructive suggestions from the members as regards the Mhadei issue,” Minister Shirodkar said after the meeting. “One important suggestion is to seek permission from the Supreme Court for a joint inspection — for which there will be members of the PRAWAH, our officers, and of course officials from all the states involved in the dispute. The PRAWAH will also be able to offer their technical and legal opinion,” he added.

The minister stated that the Goa government would formally approach the Supreme Court in November to request permission for the inspection. The move comes after PRAWAH — the body established to implement the award of the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal — had previously declined Goa’s request for such an inspection, citing the sub-judice nature of the matter.

Goa’s insistence on the inspection stems from its long-held allegation that Karnataka has been illegally diverting water from the Kalasa and Banduri tributaries of the Mahadayi river by altering the natural flow of the streams. According to Goa, such diversion violates the terms set out by the tribunal and is being carried out without requisite environmental and inter-state approvals.

Background of the Mahadayi River Dispute

The Mahadayi river, also known as the Mhadei in Goa and the Mahadayi in Karnataka, originates in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary located in Karnataka’s Belagavi district. From there, it flows westward through the rugged Western Ghats, traversing the states of Karnataka, Goa, and a small portion of Maharashtra, before finally emptying into the Arabian Sea near Panaji.

For decades, the river has been the focal point of an acrimonious water-sharing dispute between Goa and Karnataka. The core of the disagreement lies in Karnataka’s long-standing demand to divert a portion of the Mahadayi’s water eastward to meet the drinking water and irrigation needs of its drought-prone districts, especially in the Malaprabha basin.

Karnataka’s Kalasa-Banduri Nala project, first proposed in the 1980s, sought to divert approximately 36.5 thousand million cubic feet (TMC ft) of water from the Mahadayi to the Malaprabha river to supply drinking water to the parched regions of Dharwad, Belagavi, Bagalkot, and Gadag. Goa, on the other hand, has consistently opposed any diversion of the Mahadayi’s waters outside the natural basin, arguing that the project would adversely affect the ecological balance of the river and reduce the flow essential for the state’s agriculture, drinking water supply, and biodiversity.

Tribunal’s Award and Continuing Legal Battle

In 2010, following years of escalating tensions between the two states, the Union government established the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956. The tribunal was tasked with adjudicating the claims of the three riparian states — Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra — and determining a fair allocation of the Mahadayi’s waters.

After extensive hearings and technical evaluations, the tribunal delivered its final award in August 2018. The decision granted Karnataka 13.42 TMC ft of water — significantly less than the 36.5 TMC ft it had sought. Maharashtra was allocated 1.33 TMC ft, while Goa was permitted to use 24 TMC ft for its own requirements.

While Karnataka initially welcomed the award, it soon expressed dissatisfaction with the reduced allocation. Goa, for its part, challenged the award before the Supreme Court, arguing that even the limited diversion allowed to Karnataka would harm the state’s fragile ecosystems and affect the river’s flow during non-monsoon months. The dispute has since remained unresolved, with multiple petitions, counter-petitions, and contempt pleas pending before the apex court.

Allegations of Illegal Diversion

Over the past few years, Goa has accused Karnataka of violating the tribunal’s conditions by engaging in unapproved construction and diversion activities on the Kalasa and Banduri tributaries. Environmental activists and local villagers in Goa’s northern districts have repeatedly claimed that water levels in the Mahadayi have dropped significantly, particularly during the dry season, due to Karnataka’s upstream interventions.

Minister Shirodkar reiterated these concerns during Friday’s meeting, stating, “Goa has consistently maintained that Karnataka has been diverting water by altering the course of the streams without proper authorization. This has led to changes in the natural flow pattern, which could have serious ecological and environmental consequences for the downstream regions.”

The minister further added that the proposed joint inspection would help establish the facts objectively. “If all stakeholders — including PRAWAH, representatives from Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra — are present during the inspection, we can have a clear understanding of the current situation on the ground. It will help bring transparency and credibility to the entire process,” he said.

Role of PRAWAH and Legal Complexities

PRAWAH, short for the Progressive River Authority for Welfare and Harmony, was established by the central government in 2020 as the implementing authority for the Mahadayi Tribunal’s award. The authority’s role is to oversee compliance with the tribunal’s directions, monitor water utilization, and resolve any operational issues arising between the states.

However, PRAWAH has maintained that it cannot initiate or participate in a joint inspection without express approval from the Supreme Court, given that the case remains under judicial consideration. This has created a legal stalemate, with Goa pushing for immediate inspection and Karnataka maintaining that its activities are within the scope of the tribunal’s award and environmental clearances granted by the Centre.

Ecological and Political Implications

The Mahadayi dispute is not just a legal or administrative issue but also a deeply emotional and ecological one. The river is often described as the lifeline of northern Goa, sustaining rich biodiversity, agriculture, and tourism in the region. Environmentalists have warned that any large-scale diversion of its waters could have irreversible consequences on Goa’s ecosystem, particularly in the Western Ghats — a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its endemic species.

Politically, the issue has remained sensitive in both states. In Goa, successive governments — regardless of party affiliation — have adopted a firm stance against diversion, given the public sentiment attached to the river. In Karnataka, however, the project has been framed as a developmental necessity for its arid northern districts. With elections approaching in both states in the coming years, the Mahadayi issue continues to influence political narratives and voter sentiment.

Looking Ahead

Minister Shirodkar’s announcement signals Goa’s renewed determination to seek judicial clarity and scientific assessment of the Kalasa-Banduri project’s impact. Once the Supreme Court grants approval, the joint inspection — involving representatives from PRAWAH and all three concerned states — is expected to provide crucial technical evidence that could influence the outcome of the ongoing litigation.

For now, the fate of the Mahadayi river remains suspended between competing claims of environmental preservation and developmental necessity. As Goa prepares its petition to the Supreme Court, both legal experts and environmentalists hope that the court’s eventual decision will pave the way for an equitable, science-based resolution that respects the ecological integrity of the river while addressing the legitimate water needs of the region.

In the words of Minister Shirodkar, “The Mahadayi is not just a river; it is a shared lifeline. We must find a way to resolve this dispute with fairness, cooperation, and respect for nature. Only then can we ensure that future generations inherit both development and ecological balance.”