Karnataka leaders pursue proposal to route ‘surplus’ Tillari water through Rakaskop reservoir; existing Maharashtra–Goa water-sharing arrangement comes under scrutiny
Sindhudurg: A reported proposal to divert water from the Tillari river system in Maharashtra towards Belagavi in Karnataka has brought the Maharashtra–Goa joint Tillari Irrigation Project back into focus, with Goa seeking detailed information on the plan and its possible impact on the state’s water interests. The proposal being pursued in Belagavi envisages transferring what its proponents describe as “surplus” Tillari water towards the Rakaskop reservoir, one of the sources supplying drinking water to Belagavi city.
Former corporators from Belagavi have taken up the proposal with Karnataka leaders, while district in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi has indicated that the matter would be discussed with officials. Belagavi MP Jagadish Shettar has also reportedly written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking a favourable response to the proposal.
Goa Seeks Details from Maharashtra
The Goa Water Resources Department has sought a detailed report from Maharashtra on whether any formal proposal exists to divert Tillari water to Belagavi through the Rakaskop reservoir. Goa has asked for project reports, technical studies, drawings, correspondence, meeting records and approvals, as well as information on the quantity of water proposed to be diverted and the possible hydrological, operational and inter-state implications. The move reflects Goa’s concern because Tillari is not exclusively a Maharashtra project. It is an inter-state irrigation project jointly developed by Maharashtra and Goa and plays an important role in Goa’s irrigation and drinking-water network.
Existing Maharashtra–Goa Arrangement
According to the Goa Water Resources Department, the Tillari Irrigation Project was designed to benefit Sawantwadi and Dodamarg in Maharashtra and the Pernem, Bicholim and Bardez talukas of Goa. The common project cost is shared in the ratio of 73.30 per cent for Goa and 26.70 per cent for Maharashtra, based on water utilisation. The project also provides 57.43 million cubic metres of water for domestic and industrial purposes in Goa. Karnataka is not an original beneficiary under this arrangement. Any proposal to divert Tillari water towards Belagavi would therefore require examination of the existing interstate agreement, available water, downstream requirements and the rights of Maharashtra and Goa.
Maharashtra’s Position Will Be Crucial
Since the headworks and significant parts of the Tillari system lie in Maharashtra, the state government’s position will be central to any further consideration of the proposal. Maharashtra would need to assess whether water described as “surplus” is actually available after accounting for existing irrigation, drinking-water and future requirements in Sindhudurg and Goa. The question is particularly significant for Dodamarg and Sawantwadi, which are among the Maharashtra areas for which the Tillari project was originally developed.
Environmental Concerns Surface
Environmental concerns have also emerged over the reported proposal. Goa-based environmentalists have warned that moving Tillari water towards the Markandeya–Rakaskop system could affect river flows and the ecologically sensitive landscape of the Western Ghats. Any actual diversion project would consequently require technical and environmental scrutiny in addition to interstate negotiations.
Separate from Mhadei Dispute
The Tillari issue should not be confused with the long-running Mhadei/Kalasa-Bhandura dispute between Goa and Karnataka. The Mhadei dispute concerns Karnataka’s plans to divert water from tributaries of the Mhadei basin towards the Malaprabha system. Tillari, by contrast, involves a separate river basin and a Maharashtra–Goa joint irrigation project. The latest development nevertheless adds another sensitive interstate water question along the Goa–Karnataka–Maharashtra region. For Sindhudurg, the key issue now is whether Maharashtra considers any Tillari water genuinely available for diversion after meeting the project’s existing commitments and the district’s future needs. I would use this headline rather than “Goa Opposes Karnataka’s Move.” At this stage, the strongest verified formulation is that Goa has sought clarification and raised concerns, while Karnataka-side political representatives are pursuing the idea.
