Tribunal rejects Karnataka plea for Mahadayi river water, state bandh called on 30 July

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on 27 July said the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal has rejected Karnataka's plea to divert 7.56 TMC water from the Mahadayi basin to Malaprabha river and termed it an "important decision for the bright future of Goa".

"Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal, in its oral interim order passed today, rejected Karnataka's plea to divert 7.56 TMC water from Mahadayi basin to Malaprabha river. We have won the battle, but the war lies ahead," Parsekar told reporters today after the tribunal gave its order in New Delhi today.

"Our advocate and additional solicitor general Atmaram Nadkarni has done a good study and research over the issue. I congratulate him and also the state water resources department officers. This is an important decision for the bright future of Goa," Parsekar added.

Meanwhile, following the decision taken by the tribunal, the Kannada film industry and pro-Kannada organisations have called for a state bandh on 30 July, reported Zee News.

Goa Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar said, "I am very happy that our contention has been upheld by the tribunal. This interim order will give sanctity to our fight."

Arlekar added that Goa government's demand not to allow the diversion of Mahadayi river water is legitimate and in the interest of Goan people as well as Karnataka.

Mahadayi Water Tribubal has been hearing the petition filed by Goa against Maharashtra and Karnataka against the diversion of water.

The coastal state (Goa) has contested that diversion would adversely affect the ecology.

-With PTI inputs