Sat Apr 26 15:25:49 UTC 2025: **Karnataka Urges Maharashtra for Krishna Water-Sharing Agreement Amidst Severe Drought**
Belagavi, Karnataka – April 26, 2025 – Facing severe water scarcity in the Krishna river basin, various Karnataka organizations are pressing the state government to finalize a water-sharing agreement with Maharashtra. The Malaprabha river, a Krishna tributary, is nearly dry, impacting several districts including Belagavi, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Raichur, and Yadgir. Officials warn that current water reserves will last only 15 days.
The Central Committee of Kannada Organisations has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Leader of the Opposition, urging them to expedite negotiations with Maharashtra. While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah previously requested 4 tmcft of water from Maharashtra, the request, made three weeks ago, remains unanswered. The committee suggests an all-party delegation visit Mumbai to push for the agreement.
The issue centers around a potential water swap. While Maharashtra has historically released water to Karnataka (for a fee), usually around 4 tmcft annually, Maharashtra now suggests a reciprocal arrangement, proposing Karnataka release water from its Tubachi-Babaleshwar lift-irrigation project. However, this requires significant infrastructure investment, estimated at ₹500 crore, with questions remaining about cost-sharing.
Engineers from Karnataka’s Water Resources Department highlight the need for detailed discussions before finalizing any agreement. Other proposed solutions include jointly building small reservoirs to store emergency water supplies. District in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi expressed his support for a water-sharing agreement, indicating his willingness to initiate dialogue with Maharashtra. The situation underscores the urgent need for cooperation between the two states to address the critical water shortage.
First Piper 