Karnataka - Bangalore   

Eshwarappa accuses Centre of bias in sanctioning projects

K.S. Eshwarappa

BANGALORE: Minister for Water Resources K.S. Eshwarappa has accused the Centre of being biased in sanctioning drinking water projects in different States.

Briefing presspersons here on Tuesday on the status of the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project, the Minister said the Centre had cleared five drinking water projects in Andhra Pradesh while it had not cleared the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project proposed by Karnataka.

The projected was proposed in 2001 for the diversion of 7.56 tmcft of water from the Mahadayi river for providing drinking water to Hubli-Dharwad and parts of Gadag, Belgaum and Bagalkot districts. Though the Supreme Court had directed the Union Government to file an affidavit before it, the latter had not filed it, he said.

The Supreme Court, on November 28, 2006, declined to entertain a plea by Goa to direct Karnataka to maintain status quo on the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project. The Union Government had granted approval for the project, but had subsequently kept the approval in abeyance after Goa raised objections stating that if Karnataka impounded water, it would deprive the people of Goa of drinking water.

The State had refuted the Goa Government’s stand and stated that the proposal was to divert only 7.56 tmcft annually out of the total water availability of 180 tmcft to 220 tmcft as estimated by the Central Water Commission and the water was meant mainly for drinking water requirements.

Mr. Eshwarappa said no construction was being undertaken in forest areas. Presently, construction work had been suspended in view of heavy rainfall in the region. He appealed to the Centre to clear all hurdles in the way of the execution of the project as quickly as possible.

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