Belagavi, 1 Aug

Listing the adverse effects in the catchment area of river Krishna in Maharashtra if Karnataka increased the height of Almatti reservoir, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has written a letter to Union Jalshakti (Irrigation) minister CR Patil.

Fadnavis stated that Karnataka’s plan to raise the height of the Almatti reservoir in Vijaypura district to 524m from 519.6m is a matter of concern for Maharashtra.

“I sincerely request you to instruct the Government of Karnataka to reconsider the plan of raising the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of Almatti Dam," his letter said. “Raising the FRL of Almatti dam will result in 6m of standing pool water in the Krishna River.”

Fadnavis the changes could cause flooding in in Sangli and Kolhapur regions in south Maharashtra. He said it “would affect thousands of residents and agricultural lands”. He added that silt would get stored in the catchment area of the river Krishna which could causes the river to change its route.

"The impounding of Almatti Dam has led to extensive siltation upstream in the Krishna River and its tributaries. This has adversely affected the river system's carrying capacity, causing delays in the recession of floodwaters in Sangli and Kolhapur."

Fadnavis urged the Union government to form an expert committee to study the effects of raising the height of the dam before granting permission to Karnataka.

The dam serves as the main reservoir of the Upper Krishna Irrigation Project.