Fri Jul 04 17:39:07 UTC 2025: **Summary of Text:**

The text is a news article from The Hindu, dated July 4, 2025, reporting on a meeting regarding the Hemavati River Link Canal Project in the Tumakuru district of Karnataka, India. Union Minister V. Somanna and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar decided to conduct a spot inspection before making a final decision on the project’s continuation. Farmers and opposition leaders (BJP and JD(S)) are concerned that the ruling Congress party intends to divert water to Bengaluru South (formerly Ramanagara). MLAs from Tumakuru emphasized the need for a scientific feasibility study by IISc before supporting the project, opposing any diversion without a scientific basis. The article also lists the sections of the newsletter.

**News Article:**

**Hemavati River Project Faces Scrutiny Amid Water Diversion Concerns**

**BENGALURU, July 4, 2025** – The fate of the Hemavati River Link Canal Project in the Tumakuru district hangs in the balance as Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti V. Somanna and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar have agreed to a spot inspection of the canal work before making a final decision on its continuation.

The decision came after a meeting held on Friday with elected officials from Tumakuru and surrounding districts, where concerns were raised about the project’s potential impact on local water resources.

Farmers and opposition leaders from the BJP and JD(S) have accused the ruling Congress party of plotting to divert water from Tumakuru to taluks within Bengaluru South district (formerly Ramanagara). This accusation has fueled anxieties among local residents, who fear a shortage of water for their agricultural needs.

Adding to the debate, Tumakuru Rural MLA Suresh Gowda and Tumakuru City MLA Jyothi Ganesh have demanded a comprehensive feasibility study from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). The MLAs stated that they would support the project only if it is backed by solid scientific data, emphasizing that any diversion of water without such a basis would be met with strong opposition.

The upcoming spot inspection aims to assess the progress of the canal work and evaluate the feasibility of supplying water to other districts, taking into account the concerns raised by stakeholders. The decision made after the inspection will be crucial in determining the future of the Hemavati River Link Canal Project and its impact on the region’s water distribution.

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