A new initiative to divert water from the Ghataprabha reservoir at Raja Lakhamagouda dam – Hidkal Dam for industrial use in Hubballi and Dharwad has triggered widespread criticism and concern in drought-prone Belagavi. While intended to bolster industrial development, the project has drawn mixed reactions from local communities and leaders.
The Ghataprabha reservoir, with a storage capacity of 51 TMC, currently irrigates 308,326 hectares across Belagavi and Bagalkot districts. Despite its crucial role in agricultural sustainability, the government’s decision to prioritize industrial water supply over-irrigation and drinking water has raised red flags.
The controversy is further fueled by the unfinished Mahadayi project, which was meant to supply drinking water to Hubballi and Dharwad. Critics argue that the government’s focus on the new industrial water project neglects ongoing delays in critical initiatives like the Mahadayi and the Ghataprabha Left and Right Bank Canal projects, proposed in 1980. These projects remain incomplete, depriving vast swathes of Belagavi and Bagalkot agricultural land of much-needed irrigation water.
Adding to the woes, Belagavi city suffers from severe water scarcity, receiving drinking water only once every 7 days during summer. Locals have questioned the rationale behind allocating substantial resources to this industrial water project when basic drinking and irrigation needs remain unmet.
While officials claim there is no history of villages around the reservoir facing drinking water shortages during droughts, residents worry the diversion could exacerbate existing water stress. The lack of clarity over whether Belagavi’s elected representatives formally approved this decision has added to the mistrust.
The project involves transporting water from Hidkal village in Hukkeri taluk to Hubballi and Dharwad, a distance of 150 km. Activists and local leaders demand greater transparency about the project’s funding, planning, and long-term impact on Belagavi’s water security.
The ongoing delays in the Mahadayi project, which aims to deliver water to Dharwad via the Malaprabha reservoir, have also become a rallying point for critics. Many believe the government should prioritize completing these long-overdue projects before initiating new ones.
As discontent grows, the government faces mounting pressure to address these concerns and balance industrial growth with the needs of agriculture and drinking water in the region. Ensuring transparency and accountability in project execution will mitigate tensions and build trust among the affected communities.
Source: Vijay Karnataka