Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP delegation on Wednesday met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in view of the scheduled meeting of the Chief Ministers of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra to discuss Mahadayi water dispute.
The Karnataka BJP delegation led by Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers and Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar hold discussions with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for more than 45 minutes. The delegation includes Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly Jagadish Shettar and Prahlad Joshi, MP from Dharwad. It is believed the delegation led by Ananth Kumar had advised Maharashtra Chief Minister to find an amicable solution to Mahadayi water dispute through negotiations.
More than 1,000 villages in Mumbai-Karnataka region, including Belagavi, Dharwad and Gadag, are expected to get drinking water if Kalasa Banduri project is implemented by utilizing Mahadayi river water. Seven and half tmcft of Mahadayi river water would be supplied for drinking purpose through Kalasa Banduri canal. The delegation has made it clear that Mahadayi water will be utilized for drinking purpose only. It has also appealed Maharashtra Chief Minister not to create hurdles for Kalasa Banduri project since Mahadayi water would not be used for irrigation purpose.
According to reliable sources, the BJP delegation has already hold discussions with Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar. The delegation opined that Chief Ministers of three states should find a solution through negotiations as per the advice of Mahadayi Water Tribunal.
The meeting of three chief ministers is scheduled to be held in Mumbai on October 21. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has convened all-party meeting at Vidhana Soudha on October 19 to discuss Mahadayi water issue.
