KRV protest against Hidkal dam water diversion
Members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike ( Narayana Gowda ), held a protest in Belagavi on Friday, against the State government's decision to divert Ghataprabha river waters from Hidkal dam in Belagavi to the industrial area in Dharwad.
Bare chested activists and women carrying empty pots marched from Channamma circle to the Deputy Commissioner's office. Protesters, holding the red-yellow Kannada flag, raised slogans against the State government. They formed a human chain at the circle and stopped traffic for some time. They tried to forcefully enter the Deputy Commissioner's office by climbing over barricades. But the police stopped them. Later, protestors submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan.
They accused the State government of favouring rich industrialists over poor farmers. The State government has allowed industries to draw 45 million litres per day from the Hidkal dam. This is like sucking out our life blood, said Deepak Gudaganatti, district president who led the protest.
He demanded that the government withdraw the approval for water diversion immediately. He also warned that the State government and the district administration would be responsible if anything went wrong, as the issue was very sensitive. 'The state government should not play with fire,' he said.
'If the government wants to promote industries, let them do it in Belagavi district alone. It should not spend tax payers' money of ₹350 crore in laying pipelines for 125 km from Hidkal to Dharwad,' he said.
'Considering the haste and the manner in which the water diversion project is being implemented, we are suspicious of the motives behind it. Initially, the work of laying the pipeline commenced without any approval. Even the district in charge Minister and district administration officers were unaware of the project. It only came to light after farmers started opposing the pipeline work. It was stopped for some time after the district administration intervened. But the State government has started the work again, under pressure from vested interests. We suspect invisible forces behind this,' he said.
He threatened to intensify the protest if the work was not stopped immediately. He said that the water resources of Belagavi were being diverted for the welfare of twin cities of Hubballi and Dharwad. 'Already, they are taking water from the Malaprabha. Now, they want water from Ghataprabha also. This is unacceptable,' he said.
Leaders like Balu Jadagi, Ganesh Rokade, Suresh Gavannavar, Satish Gudadavar, Prakash Lamani, and Manjunath Rathod were present.
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