Bengaluru: On Thursday, Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar responded to Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s comments regarding the Mahadayi river project, stating that Sawant had “lost his mental balance” and reaffirming that the state would continue with the project.

As the water resources minister, D K Shivakumar emphasized that the work is being conducted on Karnataka’s territory and reiterated the government’s commitment to move forward. He also reminded the Goa Chief Minister of the significance of inter-state relations, mentioning that he would engage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the relevant union ministers to address the issue.

In his address to the Goa Assembly on Tuesday, Sawant asserted that the Centre would not sanction the Mahadayi project.

He also indicated that the Goa government would pursue a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against Karnataka for actions aimed at diverting the Mahadayi river water.

“The Goa CM has commented on the Mahadayi water situation. He has lost his mental balance; he seems unaware of the federal structure. The Mahadayi water award has already been established, and a tender has been issued,” Shivakumar stated while speaking to reporters.

“The tender has been released, and work is set to commence. Only forest clearance was pending, and we received a notice – but we were never instructed to halt the work,” he added.

“His (Goa CM’s) remarks are unacceptable. He cannot prevent us; he lacks that authority. I will initiate the work. Let them attempt to obstruct it – I will see how that unfolds,” Shivakumar declared.

Highlighting his intention to meet with all Karnataka MPs regarding this matter, the Deputy CM asserted, “This is a matter of our self-respect. Your (MPs) inaction is a mistake. We have 28 Lok Sabha members and 12 Rajya Sabha members – all must come together and advocate for Karnataka. We cannot compromise the state’s interests.” He stated that pressure should be applied to the union ministers and the prime minister. “I will request an audience with the union water resources minister (Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil) and the prime minister. I will endeavor to bring all the MPs along to meet them.

Let them come. I will take all necessary actions to initiate the work.” When asked if the central ministers were being “misled”, Shivakumar stated that they are well-balanced and “do not engage in politics”. He further accused the Goa government of “politicising the issue.” “I have met with central ministers five to six times. They all want the development work to move forward. The union ministers for forest and water resources comprehend the issue; they are not involved in politics. It is the Goa government that is engaging in politics—perhaps there is an underlying issue there. My final position is that we will undertake all necessary measures to commence the work,” Shivakumar asserted.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also condemned Sawant’s comments on Wednesday, labeling them an “insult” to the people of Karnataka. He questioned why the Centre had not formally expressed any concerns regarding the project that Goa has been opposing, specifically Karnataka’s Kalasa-Banduri projects in the Mahadayi river basin.

The Kalasa-Banduri project proposed by the Karnataka government aims to divert water from the Mahadayi river into the Malaprabha river to improve the drinking water supply in parts of Dharwad, Belagavi, Bagalkote, and Gadag districts.

The Mahadayi river flows through both Karnataka and Goa before emptying into the Arabian Sea. In Goa, it is referred to as the Mandovi, and it is one of the two major rivers in the state.

The diversion of Mahadayi water has been a longstanding source of conflict between Karnataka and Goa, with the latter asserting that “it would severely impact the state’s flora and fauna.” In 2018, the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal resolved the inter-State water dispute, allocating 13.42 tmcft of water to Karnataka, 1.33 tmcft to Maharashtra, and 24 tmcft to Goa. The award was officially notified by the Union government in 2020.