MAHADAYI RIVER - GEOGRAPHY

News: Mahadayi water sharing row between Goa, Karnataka: What is the issue, why it has flared up

 

What's in the news?

       Karnataka’s decision to go ahead with a water diversion project on river Mahadayi has escalated its long-standing dispute on the issue with neighbouring Goa.

 

Kalasa-Banduri Nala Project:

       The Kalasa Banduri Nala project aims to divert water from Mahadayi to satisfy the drinking water needs of Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot and Gadag districts.

 

Dispute:

       Though the project was first proposed in the early 1980s, it has remained on paper owing to a dispute between Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra. As per plans, barrages are to be built against Kalasa and Banduri streams - tributaries of Mahadayi and water diverted towards Karnataka’s parched districts.

       The project has been a long-standing demand of Karnataka residents set to benefit from it. With Assembly elections due this year, the state government, despite the petitions pending in the SC, has decided to go ahead with the project, after securing a go-ahead from the Central Water Commission (CWC).

       A clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) is still awaited.

  

Mahadayi River:

       Mahadayi originates inside the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in the Belagavi district of Karnataka and flows into the Arabian Sea in Goa.

       The tributaries of Mandovi or Mhadei include Nerul River, St Inez Creek, Rio de Ourém, Mapusa River, Valvanti River, Udnai River, Dudhsagar River, Ragada River and Kotrachi Nadi.

       River Basin Distribution: Karnataka, Goa and parts of Maharashtra.

 

Goa's stake:

       The Mahadayi/Mandovi River is described as the lifeline of the Indian state of Goa.

       The Mandovi and the Zuari are the two primary rivers in the state of Goa.

       Mandovi joins with the Zuari at a common creek at Cabo Aguada, forming the Mormugao.

       Panaji, the state capital and Old Goa, the former capital of Goa, are both situated on the left bank of the Mandovi.