Panaji (GOA): In a fresh move, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday requested Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to call for a meeting between the three States- Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra for an “amicable” solution on the Mhadei water diversion dispute.

In a letter to Parrikar, Siddaramaiah has asked to indicate a tentative date for holding a meeting between the three States Chief Ministers for finding an “amicable” solution to the water diversion issue. “I request you to indicate your convenience, so that a meeting could be organized amongst us at a mutually convenient date/time,” he said in a letter.

Siddaramaiah has informed Goa Chief Minister that the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis, in reply to his letter dated June 30, appreciated the need to have a meeting amongst the three states to resolve the Mhadei dispute “amicably in a friendly environment”.

Parrikar is currently in US and is expected to return back by Thursday.

Karnataka has planned 12 dams across the river Mhadei, while Maharashtra wants to construct four dams.

The Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT)- hearing the Mhadei river water diversion involving the three States, had in September 2016 suggested that the chief ministers of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra should try and reach an amicable settlement to the water dispute.

The hearing before the Mhadei tribunal continues at present. The term of the Tribunal will expire on August 21.

Team TNV