INTERVIEW: Pramod Sawant on Karnataka’s Mahadayi election problem and Goa’s lifeline

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has stated that the Mahadayi River is the lifeline of Goa and that every effort will be made to establish Goa’s right over it, even though the Karnataka government is still awaiting wildlife and environment clearances from the Union government in order to implement the Mahadayi project on the Goa border and divert water from the Mahadayi river. For Karnataka, the Mahadayi may be an electoral issue, but Goa needs to have a constant supply of Mahadayi.

Regarding the Lok Sabha election scheduled for May 7, the Chief Minister voiced assurance that the BJP would secure a significant victory once again thanks in large part to the “Modi factor.” Sawant was in Belagavi on Wednesday to support Lok Sabha candidate Jagadish Shettar, who submitted his nomination papers. Sawant was part of a BJP rally in Belagavi.

Sawant discussed the long-running interstate Mahadayi dispute and the party’s electoral preparations in Goa and Karnataka in an exclusive conversation with TNIE.

What is your opinion on Karnataka’s request to divert Mahadayi water in order to carry out the Mahadayi project?

For Karnataka, the Mahadayi (inter-state water sharing conflict) may be an electoral issue, but not for us in Goa. The river has been Goa’s lifeblood and the sole source of survival for everything in our state. We are now fighting in the Supreme Court to preserve this essential water supply for Goa. Along with the Union government, we are attempting to safeguard Goa’s interests via the Progressive River Authority for Welfare and Harmony (PRAWAH), a body established by the Center to carry out the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal. Nothing will stop us from establishing our claim over Mahadayi.

Will the Goa administration accept the ruling on the Mahadayi issue from the Supreme Court? Goa’s opposition parties oppose sending even a single drop of Mahadayi water to neighboring states.

PRAWAH and the court are both awaiting decisions over the diversion of river water. The National Wildlife Board will determine the precise water diversion regulations that must be followed. I acknowledge that the water problem is significant, but environmental preservation and the Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary, which is located on the project site, are also crucial. The government of Goa is taking this seriously. The project site will soon be inspected by the PRAWAH. Several officials have already investigated the location. The Supreme Court received a report from the Goa administration, and I’m hoping the decision will benefit both states.

The National Wildlife Board has postponed reviewing the Kalasa project request, despite the National Tiger Conservation Authority having approved the Mahadayi project.

The case is still ongoing with several government agencies. Goa takes its responsibilities to preserve the environment, ecology, drinking water, and the local flora and wildlife of the Western Ghats, where the project is located, very seriously. For agriculture in Goa, the Mahadayi water flow is essential. We shall await the ruling when the PRAWAH considers all relevant factors and reports to the Supreme Court.

The Belagavi-Goa route via Chorla is taking longer to construct than expected, despite the transportation minister’s approval for a two-lane roadway. For what reason is it the case?

A two-lane highway via Chorla was approved by Union Minister Gadkariji, but construction is now on hold since the Karnataka forest department must provide permission. After clearing it, work on doubling Chorla Road will begin. For the time being, we’ll convince the Karnataka government and NHAI to fix the road before the monsoon season begins.

What are your thoughts on the Karnataka elections? It is anticipated that more BJP dissidents would join the fight…

I’ll explain it to you straight. Nationwide, votes for Modiji, Lotus, and Viksit Bharat will be cast. To make sure that PM Modi becomes PM once again, all party officials and leaders will band together. We are going to give it our all in Goa and win both LS seats. In Karnataka, we’ll win all 28 seats.

Do you not believe that Karnataka’s party leaders rely too much on the Modi factor?

Under PM Narendra Modiji, we have seen the country’s development during the last ten years. We are casting our votes for India’s advancement. In addition to fielding qualified candidates in each constituency, we are requesting votes in Modiji’s name.