The Mhadei or Mahadayi river has over the years sparked a series of disputes between Goa and Karnataka. This west-flowing river, which finds its source in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary within the Western Ghats’ Belagavi district of Karnataka, has been the focal point of long-standing water sharing issues between the two states. Although a rain-fed river, it takes on the name Mandovi in Goa.
Several streams converge to form the Mandovi, which along with the Zuari River, are the two major rivers flowing through Goa. The course of this river spans 35km in Karnataka and extends 82km within Goa before it discharges into the Arabian Sea.
Kalasa-Banduri Nala Project
The Government of Karnataka initiated the Kalasa-Banduri Nala Project with the aim of improving the drinking water supply in three districts – Belagavi, Dharwad, and Gadag. The project entails constructing dams across Kalasa and Banduri, two tributaries of the Mahadayi river, to divert water to the Malaprabha river.
The Malaprabha river is a significant provider of drinking water to the districts of Dharwad, Belgaum, and Gadag. The project was first considered in 1989; however, it was met with objections from Goa.
The Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal
As a result of the disputes surrounding the water diversion plan, the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal was established in 2010. Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra have been party to the tribunal since its inception.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin of Mahadayi River | Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, Belagavi district of Karnataka |
| Total Length of the River | 117 km (35 km in Karnataka; 82 km in Goa) |
| Name of the river in Goa | Mandovi |
| Purpose of Kalasa-Banduri Nala Project | To improve drinking water supply in Belagavi, Dharwad, and Gadag districts |
| Year Kalasa-Banduri Nala Project was planned | 1989 |
| Year when the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal was set up | 2010 |
Parties to the Tribunal
The parties that have been drawn into this dispute before the tribunal are Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. These three states remain key players in the resolution of the disputes surrounding the waters of the Mahadayi river.