Karnataka floats tender for DPR of Kalasa project

The Karnataka government had issued a tender on June 28, asking applicants to complete the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Kalasa-Bhandura project. On August 14, 2018, the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal awarded Karnataka 3.9 tmc for out-of-basin diversion, 1.5 tmc for in-basin consumptive use, and 8.02 tmc for non-consumptive use for hydro-power inside the basin, subject to certain limitations. However, the tribunal mandated that Karnataka submit the amended DPR to the Central Water Commission (CWC) and get the required permits from different central government bodies before proceeding with the Kalasa-Bhandura damming and diversion project.

In its 2014 judgement, the tribunal had instructed Karnataka not to use the Mhadei's water until the dispute was completely decided, as well as to block the conduit's two vents and reestablish the ridge line between the Mhadei and Malaprabha basins. This order will be in effect until Karnataka produces and submits the amended DPR in accordance with the allocation and obtains the necessary legal approvals and permission from the Union government or the Mhadei Water Management Authority.