A new initiative to supply and divert water for industrial use in Hubballi and Dharwad from the Ghataprabha reservoir at Raja Lakhamagouda dam – Hidkal Dam has commenced significant debate and criticism within the community and local leaders.
The Mahadayi project aims at providing drinking water to the cities of Hubballi and Daharwad, remains incomplete and many are questioning the government’s decision, whether the focus should be first on meeting the basic drinking water needs of the population and the government’s decision to allocate substantial funds to this new project.
The Ghataprabha reservoir, a vital water source in the drought-prone Belagavi district, plays a crucial role in irrigating 308,326 hectares of agricultural land across Belagavi and Bagalkot districts, with a storage capacity of 51 TMC. Despite its crucial and important role for irrigation and the well-being of local farmers, the reservoir’s water is being diverted to cater to industrial needs in Hubballi and Dharwad.
The government’s decision to priotize industrial water supply over irrigation and drinking water has raised demanding questions from the local community and leaders.
There are no documented instances of villages within the reservoir’s vicinity experiencing drinking water shortages during drought conditions, which has raised concerns about the project’s long-term impact on the local population and agriculture.
The project involves transporting water from the Ghataprabha reservoir, situated near Hidkal village in Hukkeri taluk, to the twin cities of Hubballi and Dharwad.
Using the 150 km Hidkal dam system to divert water for industrial purposes raises questions about the decision-making process and potential impact on local population but there is ongoing discussion regarding whether the elected representatives from Belagavi have granted their internal
The Ghataprabha left and right bank projects which was proposed in the 1980 is still remained incomplete and the water is not reaching to the anticipated areas like the Belagavi or Bagalkot districts..
Only once every ten years the city of Belagavi suffers from severe water scarcity, receives drinking water during the month of summer, indicating the need for effective water management in the region.
The Mahadayi project also remains incomplete which aimed to supply water via Malaprabha reservoir to Dharwad district.
The delay of these projects has led a spark of vigorous and intense debate over the governments decisions and promises to allocate funds to the new project. Numerous voices are now requesting and demanding full disclosure of the comprehensive project details before its implementation.
The growing controversary surrounding the Ghataprabha Reservoir Water Diversion Project has raised critical questions and voices about how the government plans to address the local concerns and implement water management strategies in the following region.
While officials assert that villages around the reservoir have no history of the shortage of drinking water during droughts, the residents remain concerned that the diversion could now worsen existing water stress. Adding to the mistrust the lack of clarity on whether Belagavi’s elected representatives formally approved the decision.
The project involves transporting water from Hidkal village in Hukkeri taluk to Hubballi and Dharwad, spanning a distance of 150 kilometers.
The local leaders and public has now demanded greater transparency about the planning, funding and long-term of the project on Belagavi’s water security.