Farmers associations have expressed concern that the government decision to draw water for industries from Hidkal dam will lead to drinking water scarcity in Belagavi and negatively impact irrigation facilities in the region.
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The State government has defended its decision to divert Ghataprabha river water from Belagavi district to industries in Dharwad.

Kannada organisations and farmers associations had taken strong objection to the work of digging channels and laying pipes between Hidkal and Dharwad saying that the government is planning to divert over 5 tmcft of water from the dam per day.

They expressed concern that this will lead to drinking water scarcity in Belagavi and negatively impact irrigation facilities in the region.

However, Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil has said that only around 0.58 tmcft of water will be drawn from the river per day.

He clarified that water will be drawn from the river and not the dam itself. “A facility will be created to pump water from downstream the river before it reaches the dam,” he said.

He said that the government is only doing its duty of supplying water to industries to ensure development of North Karnataka. He argued that it will not affect the drinking water needs or irrigation facilities in Belagavi district.

“As per the Krishna tribunal verdict on river water sharing, 4 tmcft of water has been allocated from the Hidkal reservoir for industrial development. However, we are utilizing just 45 million liters per day (0.58 tmcft) which will not create any issues for residents in Belagavi district,” the Minister said in a release.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who holds the Irrigation portfolio, said that reports of plans to divert 5 tmcft of water per day were exaggerated. Even industries in Bengaluru do not get five tmcft of water per day, he noted.

Permission mandatory

“Getting permission from the Irrigation Department is mandatory for releasing water for any purpose. I have already increased the rates for water supplied to industries. The Central government has issued new guidelines and policies on water usage which we plan to propose in the next session of the Legislature. Whether for agriculture, industries or urban drinking water supply, water usage is calculated meticulously,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

He said that he will meet local MLA Nikhil Katti in this connection and also, seek a detailed report from officials on the issue.