PANAJI (GOA) In a major victory to Goa’s fight against Mhadei water diversion, the Karnataka Government tody told Supreme Court that it will not undertake construction work of Kalsa- Bhandura project in Kankumbi.

Apex court disposed off the petition filed by Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan (MBA) that has challenged Karnataka’s project on environmental ground. At the same time, it granted leave to the petitioner to approach the Court if Karnataka if it observes violation by Karnataka.

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MBA member Rajendra Kerkar informed that union ministry for environment and forest failes to inform court whether Karnataka has obtained environment clearance for the project.

“On that ground, Karnataka counsel Fali Nariman made submission before the Court that it will not undertake any construction work at the Kalsa Bhandura,” Kerkar said.

The Apex Court in its last order passed earlier this month had directed MoEF to file an affidavit indicating whether any application has been received from the State of Karnataka for forest and environment clearance in relation to the project.

The Court had also asked Karnataka to file an affidavit about the same.

MBA had approached SC in 2007 challenging Karnataka government project on the environmental ground and had pointed out that the project is been undertaken without obtaining Environmental Clearance (EC) from MoEF&CC. MBA had also sought direction from the court to maintain status quo in the project.

In 2009, the court had asked MoEF not to allow Karnataka to continue the canal work without obtaining necessary environmental clearance. However, despite this, Karnataka had continued to carry out work of the canal.
Team TNV