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Time of India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
RTI revelation exposes massive over-allocation of Hidkal dam water to industries
Belagavi: In a significant development that could intensify the ongoing opposition to the diversion of Hidkal Dam water to industries in Hubballi-Dharwad, activist and whistleblower Sujit Mulgund unveiled official documents revealing that industrial units received nearly 22 times more water than the original allocation. Mulgund shared a letter from the assistant executive engineer of the Karnataka Niravari Nigam Limited (KNNL), CBC subdivision No. 2, dated July 6, 2024. The letter, addressed to the executive engineer, discloses that only 0.1 tmcft of water was initially allocated to industries under the project report. However, the allocation surged to 0.2 tmcft gradually, and there is an additional fresh demand of 0.5 tmcft under the Bengaluru-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project, part of the Suvarna Karnataka Corridor initiative. Crucially, the letter indicates that the excess allocation already far surpassed the sanctioned limit. If the additional 0.5 tmcft is approved, it would come at the cost of irrigation water meant for farmers, a point likely to fuel further unrest among farming communities. Last month, the Karnataka govt approved the controversial diversion of 0.5 tmcft from Hidkal Dam to industrial areas in Hubballi-Dharwad, sparking widespread protests across Belagavi and neighbouring districts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Farmers and civil society groups decried the move, arguing it threatens their livelihood and violates the dam's original purpose. Earlier, water resources minister MB Patil claimed that the water being diverted was within the allocated limits. However, Mulgund's findings—obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act—contradict the minister's statement. Pipeline construction for the water diversion began over four months ago—without formal approval, tenders, or even informing the local administration, including district minister Satish Jarkiholi. The work only came to light when local farmers discovered pipelines being laid across their fields. In response, several organisations launched protests under the slogan 'Namma Neeru, Namma Hakku', prompting the Belagavi DC to halt the work temporarily. Despite the opposition, the project resumed following a green signal from the state cabinet. Activist Mulgund sought further details under RTI—including the tender cost, official approvals, and progress reports—but KNNL denied the information, citing confidentiality. Constructed in 1961 and named after former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, the Hidkal dam was built to provide irrigation and drinking water. Though it has a storage capacity of 51 tmcft, effective availability is only around 44 tmcft due to siltation and unusable reserves. Speaking to the TOI, Mulgund criticised the lack of transparency. "The RTI documents clearly prove that more water has already been diverted to industries than originally sanctioned. Any additional diversion will directly impact farmers in Belagavi, Bagalkot and Vijayapura," he said.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Rs 150 crore sanctioned for Tungabhadra barrage-cum-bridge to ease Haveri's water woes
HAVERI: The Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL) sanctioned Rs 150 crore for building a barrage across the Tungabhadra River near Kancharagatti in Haveri taluk. The project received approval during the KNNL board of directors' meeting on Jan 25, 2025. The board advised submitting a DPR (detailed project report) to obtain govt administrative approval. KNNL allocated Rs 50 crore initially for the project and set aside Rs 50 lakh for DPR preparation. The initiative will support 17 tanks under the Budapanahalli Lift Irrigation scheme while addressing drinking water requirements in Guttal and Haveri city. Despite 28 years since the Haveri district's establishment, the city continues to face severe drinking water shortages. Although the Haveri City Municipal Council maintains water lifting facilities at the Tungabhadra River near Kancharagatti and Karjagi from the Varada River, both sources run dry during summer. The request for a barrage across the Tungabhadra River for drinking water has persisted for 20 years, with previous administrations taking no action. Currently, with support from deputy speaker and MLA Rudrappa Lamani and Haveri district minister Shivanand Patil, residents are optimistic about their longstanding request being fulfilled. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Almafuerte (ver precio) Verisure Undo Shivanand Patil said: "I will direct the officers concerned to call a tender for fixing an agency to prepare the DPR for constructing a barrage across the Tungabhadra River. The CM also agreed to move the project in the cabinet for getting administrative approval.
