Panaji (Goa) The final hearing before the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT), involving Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra over diversion of water from Mhadei river, commenced today.

When the matter came up for arguments, Karnataka and Maharashtra sought time and accordingly, the matter was posted for Thursday.

Goa’s case is essentially the challenge to the proposed 12 projects by the State of Karnataka in the Western Ghats, on interstate River Mhadei and thereafter, the further proposal for the trans-basin diversion into Malaprabha reservoir from the River.

Goa Government last month filed volumes summary of arguments before the Tribunal stressing on the fact that trans basin diversion will deprive people of Goa the water for drinking, irrigation and industrial purpose, as well as act as disaster for aquatic and marine life and ecology.