Extension to Mhadei tribunal bad omen for Karnataka: Goa Minister

Panaji, Aug 10 (IANS) Even as the Centre extended the term of Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal by a year, Goa Water Resources Minister Vinod Palienkar said on Thursday that the development was a bad omen for Karnataka, which was lobbying to get it wound up.

"It is (a result of) a collective effort by the Centre and the state government. Karnataka was lobbying to wind it up or block its extension. The Goa government will go all out to win its case in the tribunal," Palienkar said in a statement.

The Ministry for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation issued a notification during the day to extend the tribunal's term for a year with effect from August 21.

The Goa government had written to the Ministry in July for the extension, while Karnataka has been requesting Goa and Maharashtra for an amicable settlement of the river water dispute.

Goa and Karnataka are bickering over the latter's controversial Kalsa-Bhandura dam project across Mhadei river.

Mhadei, also known as Mandovi, is known as the lifeline of northern parts of Goa. It originates in Karnataka and meets the Arabian Sea in Panaji in Goa. The river covers 28.8 km in Karnataka and 81.2 km in Goa.

Karnataka plans to construct seven dams on the river to divert its waters to Malaprabha basin in its northern part.

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