Minister for Water Resources M.B. Patil said that the government was contemplating filing an application before the Mahadayi Tribunal seeking permission to divert 7.56 tmc water to the Malaprabha basin for drinking water purposes.
Speaking to presspersons here on Saturday, Mr. Patil said legal experts have advised the government against filing the application before the tribunal seeking an interim order to divert 7.56 tmc of water and suggested to file the application after the inter-linking works of Kalasa-Banduri canal was over. The works were expected to complete in March, he said.
The Kalasa-Banduri project was originally meant for diverting 7.56 tmc of water to Malaprabha basin to provide drinking water.
But the Congress government in the State filed a rejoinder before the tribunal seeking distribution of the additional 7 tmc of water to provide water for drinking water and irrigation purpose in drought-prone areas.
Besides, the government had also filed an application seeking permission to utilise 14.571 tmc water claimed for power generation for drinking purposes based on future demand. The government has taken up this matter seriously and is trying its best to see that this project is realised at the earliest,” Mr. Patil said.
