Karnataka refuses transmission project in a tit-for-tat dispute with Goa

Bengaluru: In a tit-for-tat dispute with neighbouring Goa over sharing Mahadayi water for potable requirements of north Karnataka districts, the state govt on Thursday reiterated that as long as the Centre and Goa govt do not approve the Mahadayi potable water scheme, Karnataka will not permit the contentious Goa-Tamnar transmission project.
The Karnataka govt's stand comes close on the heels of the PM-headed National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) decision to approve the transmission project subject to permission from the Karnataka govt.In fact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also written to the Karnataka govt to reconsider the decision. Following the PM's intervention, Karnataka forest minister Eshwar Khandre had assured that he would reconsider it. TOI first reported about the PM's intervention in its edition dated Sept 5, 2024.
Briefing the media soon after the consultative meeting with MLAs at Vidhana Soudha to decide on the eco-sensitive area (ESA), forest minister Eshwar Khandre said, "As long as the Centre and neighbouring Goa govt do not approve the Mahadayi potable water project, we (Karnataka) will not allow Goa to axe trees within Karnataka limits for laying their ambitious Goa-Tamnar transmission line." Despite the Centre's approval for the Mahadayi project, Goa has objected the project, stating that Wildlife Act does not permit diversion of Mahadayi water.
Referring to the PM's intervention, Khandre said, "As this transmission project involves cutting of one lakh trees, I had rejected the proposal and subsequently, the PM had intervened while reviewing the projects, involving inter-state coordination. Eventually, they (Goa) had submitted a revised plan seeking permission to axe only 13,000 trees. But we (Karnataka) are firm that as long as we get permission to carry out our Mahadayi potable water project, we will not permit this transmission project through our forests."