DHARWAD: The Union Ministry of Water Resources is likely to clear all hurdles in the execution of two projects to divert water from the Kalasa and the Banduri nala, tributaries of the Mahadayi to the Malaprabha project.

An indication in this regard was given by the Union Minister for Water Resources, Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, when a four-member delegation of MPs of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the State met him some time ago.

According to Pralhad Joshi, MP, who was part of the delegation comprising Suresh Angadi (Belgaum), Karunakara Reddy (Bellary) and P.C. Gaddigowdar (Bagalkot), the Minister said that it has not been possible for the Centre to discuss the matter with the Goa Government so far owing to the political developments in that State. Now that the State has a Government, the Centre will try to persuade it to enable all clearances for the two projects.

Mr. Dashmunshi admitted that the projects are utilitarian and the Centre is keen on responding to the aspirations of the people of North Karnataka. "I should be able to give you some good news by the month end. I am quite an optimist," was Mr. Dasmunshi's reaction to the plea of the MPs in this regard.

In a memorandum, the delegation drew the attention of the Union Minister to a survey by the Central Water Commission that estimated 200 tmcft of water is available in the Mahadayi Basin of which 7.56 tmcft is proposed to be diverted to meet the drinking water needs of the people in North Karnataka.

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