Belagvi, 21 Jan

Alleging that nearly 3 thousand million cubic (TMC) of water of the Krishna river has been wasted following the collapse of Gate No 22 of the Hippargi barrage, MLAs have said that they will meet the Maharashtra Chief Minister and raise concerns that the riverbed may dry up in February.

“The situation could lead to an acute crisis of drinking water in several villages”, said Kagwad MLA Raju Kage.

Kage said that the issue would be raised during the upcoming Legislative Assembly session.

“A delegation comprising MLAs from Belagavi and Bagalkot districts will meet the Maharashtra Chief Minister to submit a proposal seeking the release of 2 TMC water from the Koyna reservoir into the Krishna River,” he further said.

Kage expressed apprehension that the large-scale outflow of water from the Hippargi barrage could result in crop losses worth lakhs of rupees and cause untold hardships to both people and livestock. He said efforts would be made to purchase water from neighbouring Maharashtra by paying the required charges.

Meanwhile, engineers have assured the public that restorative work is underway working to repair the damaged bridges of the barrage and prevent further leakage through them.

Every year, during the summer, particularly in March, the Krishna River in North Karnataka dries up, following which water is released in phases from the Koyna reservoir in Maharashtra. This helps mitigate drinking water shortages in Belagavi, Koppal and Raichur districts in Kalyana Karnataka.

The MLAs would mount pressure on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to urgently take up the matter with the Maharashtra government.