Give and take water, Karnataka tells Maharashtra

The Karnataka government will explore a permanent solution on sharing water from the Krishna River and its tributaries with the upper riparian Maharashtra to meet the drinking water solution during summers on a “give and take” basis, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

In his remarks at the end of nearly three-hour-long meeting with elected representatives and officials convened to take stock of drought-relief measureshere on Monday, he said Karnataka had been purchasing water for summer requirements in the Krishna basin areas of Belagavi and adjoining areas of north Karnataka every year.

He said both the neighbouring States needed around four tmc of water from the Krishna for drinking purpose.

Maharashtra needed four tmc water from the Almatti dam (for Jat, Akkalkot and Solapur) to meet drinking water needs and around same quantity of water was required for north Karnataka districts.

This mutual requirement of water could be solved on a “give and take” basis.

“We will discuss the issue with our counterparts soon.”

In response to Karnataka’s request for four tmc of water, Maharashtra released one tmc of water on Monday, which would enter Karnataka on Tuesday, informed Small Scale Industries Minister and district in-charge Satish L. Jarkiholi.