Mahadayi row: K’taka trying for out of court settlement, says CM

The Mahadayi issue is pending before the tribunal but Karnataka government is taking all measures available in law, apart from taking up the issue with Maharashtra and Goa, for an out of the court settlement, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Wednesday.

The CM detailed the developments that took place from August 22, 2000 when administrative approval was given for diverting water from tributary Kalasa and Bhanduri to river Malaprabha to an extent of 7.56 TMC for drinking water. 

The project was taken up since 200 TMC water was flowing down to sea without being used by any state, he said in a written reply in the Legislative Council. All the rivers and tributaries flow in Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district.

Karnataka has submitted a statement of claim along with relative documents and project report for a total 36.558 TMC water share for irrigation, generation of hydro power and drinking water of 7.56 TMC, he said. 

The Chief Minister said he had written to the Prime Minister in September saying that the people of state have been agitating for the last one year and there was a desire for a mediation by Narendra Modi for finding an amicable solution to the pending water dispute. Siddaramaiah said Maharashtra government had convened a meeting of three states on October 21 but later the meeting was postponed due non-availability of Goa CM.