Water Resources Department (WRD) Minister Subhash Shirodkar on Wednesday said Karnataka withdrawing its pending Supreme Court petitions in the Mhadei water dispute would have no legal impact on the case, as Goa's and Maharashtra's petitions remain pending before the apex court.

Responding to Union Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi's recent appeal urging Karnataka to withdraw its petitions, Shirodkar said the legal proceedings would continue irrespective of Karnataka's decision.

"The withdrawal of Karnataka's petitions will not affect the Mhadei case because Goa's and Maharashtra's petitions are still pending before the Supreme Court. The matter will continue to be heard," Shirodkar said.

He further stated that Karnataka would continue to face contempt proceedings over the alleged execution of works under the Kalasa-Bhanduri project without obtaining the mandatory statutory clearances.

Shirodkar maintained that Goa would continue pursuing all legal remedies to safeguard its interests in the inter-state river dispute.

Meanwhile, Goa-based environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar urged Union Minister Pralhad Joshi to lead a joint inspection of the Kalasa project site at Kankumbi instead of requesting Karnataka to withdraw its petitions before the Supreme Court.

Kerkar said a joint inspection involving representatives from Goa, Karnataka and the Centre would reveal the actual status of the project and expose what he described as Karnataka's alleged conspiracy over the Kalasa diversion works.

"Instead of asking Karnataka to withdraw its Supreme Court petition, the Union Minister should conduct a joint inspection at the Kalasa project site in Kankumbi. The inspection will expose the alleged conspiracy surrounding the project," Kerkar said.

He alleged that Karnataka had undertaken activities related to the Kalasa-Bhanduri project without obtaining the required environmental and statutory clearances and stressed that a transparent inspection would help establish the facts on the ground.