Vijayapura (Karnataka), Nov 1 Karnataka Minister M B Patil has strongly objected to Maharashtra’s alleged plan to divert 40 TMC ft of floodwater from the Krishna river to the Bhima river, saying it could seriously affect the state’s interests.
The Vijayapura district in-charge Minister questioned the legal basis of the proposed project and demanded that the Centre clarify whether it had granted the necessary approvals.
The state Large and Medium Industries minister said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced the proposal at a conclave in Mumbai last month.
“The plan envisages diverting around 40 TMC ft of floodwater from the Krishna river near Mahabaleshwar to the Ujjani dam on the Bhima river. The water is intended to serve two districts in Marathwada and parts of Sangli and Solapur districts. Fadnavis had also stated that work on the project had begun and that the World Bank was providing financial assistance,” he told reporters in Vijayapura, according to a release issued by his office.
Patil also played a video clip of the Maharashtra CM’s remarks at the press conference.
He said an all-party meeting would soon be convened under Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s leadership to discuss the issue and formulate a united response to safeguard Karnataka’s interests.
“According to available information, the Maharashtra government sanctioned Rs 24 crore in July 2026 for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR). Geological surveys are proposed along a route of approximately 84 km, and the DPR is expected to be ready by the end of 2026. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 19,000 crore,” Patil said.
He said the proposal raised serious questions in view of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II) award and the legal framework governing the allocation of river water.
The Tribunal had allocated an additional 448 TMC ft to the basin States over and above the 2,130 TMC ft available at 75 per cent dependability, based on 65 per cent dependability and average availability. Of this additional allocation, Maharashtra received 81 TMC ft, Karnataka 173 TMC ft and undivided Andhra Pradesh 194 TMC ft.
Citing a clause in the award that allows the allocation to be reviewed or modified by the competent authority or the Tribunal at any time after May 31, 2050, Patil said Andhra Pradesh was permitted to use water available in excess of 2,578 TMC ft until then, without acquiring any permanent right over the remaining water.
“The possibility of reallocating such surplus water among the basin States after 2050 therefore remains,” Patil said, questioning the rationale for undertaking permanent works now that could constrain future water allocation.
He pointed out that Maharashtra had earlier submitted a proposal under the Krishna-Bhima Water Stabilisation Project to divert around 35 TMC ft from the Upper Krishna sub-basin (K-1) to the Bhima sub-basin (K-5) under Section 5(3) of the Act.
However, the Tribunal had observed that it could not approve the proposal, as diverting water over a long distance could adversely affect water flows and utilisation in the Upper Krishna sub-basin.
Against this backdrop, Patil questioned the legal basis of the newly announced 40 TMC ft diversion project, saying the Tribunal’s earlier observations on a proposed transfer from the same basin raised serious concerns about the new plan.
He questioned how Maharashtra’s project could receive World Bank assistance when the Centre had repeatedly returned the DPR for Karnataka’s Upper Krishna Project, Stage III, citing the non-notification of the KWDT-II award in the Gazette.
The proposed diversion could alter water flows in the Upper Krishna sub-basin and affect inflows into the Almatti reservoir, with possible consequences for Karnataka and the availability of water in downstream States, he said.
Patil said unilateral projects of this nature, undertaken without due regard to the Tribunal’s award and the rights of other States, were contrary to the spirit of cooperative federalism.
He sought clarity on whether the World Bank could finance the project without the guidance or approval of the Government of India.
“Has the Centre approved the project? Have the necessary investment clearances and other permissions been granted? Have the Tribunal’s observations and Karnataka’s interests been taken into account?” he asked, demanding a response from the Central Government.
Patil said the issue could not be taken lightly, given its implications for Krishna water allocation, inflows into the Almatti reservoir and the rights of downstream States.
He urged the Maharashtra and Central governments to clarify the project’s legal basis, approvals and funding arrangements, and take steps to ensure that Karnataka’s interests were protected.
(PTI News)
