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The inter-State border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka notwithstanding, the two are coming together to provide drinking water to certain parched districts of both States.
Maharashtra has sought five TMC (thousand million cubic feet) from the Almatti dam in Northern Karnataka for the Solapur district, which is facing the worst drought since 1972. Since January 2013, the Maharashtra Government has been following up with the Karnataka Government on its request. Similarly, Karnataka has sought four TMC water from the Koyna dam in Southern Maharashtra for the Belgaum district. Both the States have shown a willingness to pay for the water.
CMs to meet
Chief Ministers of both States will meet soon meet to decide on the further course of action. Confirming the move, Maharashtra’s Minister for Water Supply Laxman Dhoble said that the Karnataka Government has sought time with Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to speak on the issue.
“Their Chief Minister (Jagadish Shettar) is a forward thinking person, we welcome him,” he said.
However, Dhoble refused to share details about the payments that Maharashtra would have to make to Karnataka for its water.
Pointing to a hurdle, Dhoble said that water between the two States would have to be transported over 300 km, which creates its unique challenges. Losses, while transporting water, would have to curtailed, he said. Technical teams from both sides have conducted feasibility studies for transporting water, using tributaries and canals.
‘Willing’
Karanatak Agriculture Minister Umesh Katti told Business Line that the State was willing to provide the required water from the backwaters of the Almatti dam, while the surplus water from the Koyna dam could be sent to Belgaum by Maharashtra.
Political observer Nagesh Kesari said that both States should have considered the option earlier. “It would have saved hardships for a lot of people in both the States. Maharashtra Government should explore similar options on a war footing with Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. A long-term plan of water sharing with other States should be worked out,” he said.
Severe water scarcity has impacted the sugarcane crop in Solapur, while Belgaum is facing severe drinking water shortage. In this district, drinking water supply is reportedly provided only twice a month by municipal authorities.
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