The Maharashtra government, which has positively responded to the request of Karnataka government to release water for drinking purpose in villages along the course of Krishna river in Belagavi, Bagalkote and Vijayapura districts, now expects Karnataka to reciprocate and release 2 tmc ft. of water to mitigate the drinking water shortage in Solapur and Akkalkot.
In response to the request made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for 4 tmc ft. of water, besides personal efforts made by Prakash B. Hukkeri, MP (Chikkodi) and a delegation led by former State BJP president Pralhad Joshi, recently, Maharashtra had released 2 tmc ft. of water from its reservoirs into Krishna river through the Rajapur barrage at the boundary of the two riparian States, including 1 tmc ft. released on Friday.
The water released on Friday was to meet the needs of villages of Belagavi and Vijapura districts.
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As per the water release order issued by Additional Secretary of the Maharashtra’s Water Resources Department, N.D. Sahare, on Friday, Karnataka was also required to release the same amount of water (2 tmc ft.) through the Indi canal into Bhima river towards supply of drinking water to Solapur and Akkalkot, or to Jat taluk from Hirepadasalgi lift irrigation scheme.
Significantly, during an interaction with legislators on the drought situation in Belagavi recently, Mr. Siddaramaiah had said that he would convene a high-level meeting to explore the possibilities of evolving a “give and take” formula with Maharashtra on sharing of water between the two States to mitigate drinking water shortages during the summer season. Presently, Karnataka was purchasing water during summer from Maharashtra for supplies in Belagavi, Bagalkote and Vijayapura districts.
As suggested by former Minister Laxman Savadi, MLA, the “give-and-take” formula would be free of cost and also strengthen bilateral relationship between the two neighbouring States.
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