Context: The Union government accepted the detailed project reports (DPRs) for the implementation of the Kalasa-Banduri drinking water project.

Kalasa-Banduri drinking water project

• The Kalasa-Banduri project is undertaken by the Karnataka Government with an aim to enhance the supply of drinking water to the districts of Belagavi, Bagalkot, Dharwad, Gadag, and Hubli.

• The project will be constructed in the inter-State Mahadayi or Mandovi river basin.

• Through the Kalasa-Banduri Project, the Karnataka government aims to divert Mandovi river water from Kalasa and Banduri canals into the Malaprabha river in the state.

• Kalasa-Banduri Project includes the construction of a total of 11 dams on the river Mahadayi or Mandovi. 

• The sharing of the waters of the Mahadayi river has been a cause of dispute between the states of Goa and Karnataka since the 1980s.

Mahadayi or Mandovi river

• Mahadayi or Mandovi or Mhadei river originates in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary located in the Belagavi district of Karnataka.

• Mahadayi is a west-flowing river that enters Goa from Sattari taluk of the North Goa district and it finally joins the Arabian Sea at Panaji.

• The Mandovi river basin falls in the states of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

• The river is regarded as the “lifeline of Goa”, as most of the rivers of the state contain salt water and Mandovi being a sweet-water source ensures water security and is important for fishing.