Dharwad: The long-pending Kalasa-Banduri drinking water project, a major lifeline for north Karnataka districts, continues to remain entangled in legal and bureaucratic hurdles even after four decades of sustained agitation. What began as a fight for drinking water has evolved into a political flashpoint for Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra, often turning into an electoral issue.

Despite the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal’s 2018 award, which allocated water for drinking purposes to Dharwad, Belagavi, Bagalkote, and Gadag districts, the project has made little headway. Activists allege that Goa continues to stall the project, now using the lack of forest clearance as its primary objection.

Activist Shankar Ambali, , said “Though Karnataka submitted a detailed project report to the Centre two years ago, Goa has now filed an appeal against granting forest clearance. Environmentalists are also voicing concerns that the project will damage the Western Ghats. However, such objections did not surface when water allocation was made by the tribunal.”

Navalgund MLA N.H. Konareddy echoed these sentiments “Environmentalists were silent when the tribunal made its decision. Now that all approvals are in place except forest clearance, their sudden opposition seems politically motivated. The delay is denying essential drinking water to lakhs in north Karnataka.”

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi assured the public that the Centre is committed to resolving the issue “There are some pending cases in court, but we will ensure all hurdles are cleared and bring Mahadayi water to Karnataka.” Ambali warned that if further delays persist, a renewed phase of agitation will begin. “We want to know who exactly is influencing these objections. People have waited too long. If this continues, we will be forced to intensify our struggle.”

Though Karnataka is legally entitled to the water and the Centre has accepted the DPR, the forest department’s clearance remains the final roadblock. As political leaders trade statements, residents of the region—especially in Navalgund, Hubballi, and surrounding areas—remain without a drop of Mahadayi water, even four decades into the fight.