Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Dec 25: The Goa government has requested an additional month to provide its inputs to the Mhadei–PRAWAH (Progressive River Authority for Welfare and Harmony) regarding the procedures for granting final approvals to minor irrigation and drinking water projects within the Mhadei river basin.

The matter was discussed during the fifth PRAWAH meeting held in New Delhi on Wednesday. Notably, Goa’s long-standing demand for a joint site inspection of Karnataka’s proposed Kalasa Nala project—which seeks to divert water from the Mhadei basin—was not addressed, as it was not included on the meeting agenda.

Officials noted that both Goa and Maharashtra had yet to submit their comments on the procedural framework for approvals, despite reminders from the previous meeting in April. During the session, Goa sought extra time to submit its inputs, while Maharashtra was directed to provide its information promptly.

Karnataka, in its submissions, strongly opposed PRAWAH’s oversight, arguing that statutory authorities such as the Central Water Commission (CWC) had already approved its projects. However, PRAWAH maintained that all projects must comply with central government rules and norms, irrespective of prior clearances from other agencies. “PRAWAH was very critical and reiterated that every project within the Mhadei basin must comply with the laid-down legal and procedural framework,” a source said.

Goa officials joined the meeting via video conferencing and have already submitted key details of all completed and ongoing major, medium, and minor irrigation and drinking water projects in the basin. Karnataka has provided comprehensive project details, while Maharashtra has yet to submit its data.

Discussions at the meeting largely focused on river flow management, inter-state coordination, and adherence to PRAWAH’s guidelines. The authority is expected to make further decisions once all pending information from the concerned states is received.