BENGALURU: In a veiled threat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday stated that Karnataka would look into the issues of giving approval to Goa-Tamner (Chattisgarh) Transmission Project only if the State Government proposed Kalasa-Banduri Nala Diversion Project received necessary wildlife clearances from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The Kalasa-Banduri Nala Diversion project is aimed at diversion of water from River Mahadayi basin. The Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal between Karnataka and Goa in 2018 awarded Karnataka 13.42 tmc feet of which 3.9 tmc of water for diversion for drinking water purposes. From 3.9 tmc feet of water, 1.72 tmc feet from Kalasa Nala (channel) and 2.18 tmc feet for Banduri Nala (channel).
A letter by Chief Minister to Prime Minister on Wednesday and released to media on Thursday, Siddaramaiah brought to the notice of Narendra Modi that the Kalasa-Banduri Nala Diversion Project is crucial for meeting the drinking water needs of North Karnataka districts and the project has been waiting for environment clearances for a very long time waiting despite the project meeting all the pre-requisites and detailed justifications to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Siddaramaiah apprised Modi the Wildlife Warden, Goa passed an order restraining Karnataka from undertaking any activities in Kalasa-Banduri project and the Karnataka government challenged the order of Goa Wildlife Warden in Supreme Court. The matter is pending adjudication.
The letter told the Prime Minister that the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife headed by him has not granted the necessary clearance for the Kalasa-Banduri project. In a meeting of the National Board for Wildlife held under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on July 31 deferred the Kalasa-Banduri project environment clearance stating the matter is sub-judice. However, the same Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife recommended wildlife clearance for the Goa-Tanner power line in the Goa portion.
He pointed out to the Prime Minister the report of the Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court in 2021 recommended the Goa-Tamner power line project should be redrawn to avoid disrupting the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats region. The Supreme Court approved the recommendations of CEC in 2022.
Asking for his intervention in the Kalasa-Banduri Nala issue, the Chief Minister wanted Modi to be proactive to resolve bilateral-multilateral issues to achieve progress in important national projects related to drinking water, electriy among others.
