Kannada organizations call on the state to oppose the Maharashtra government’s plan to build a new reservoir in Kolhapur district

The proposed dam will utilize approximately 4 tmcft of water from the Krishna river. This will reduce the release to Karnataka by so much and reduce the inflow into the Hippargi barrage and Almatti dam, says Ashok Chandargi, president of the central committee of Kannada organizations.

Kannada organizations have urged the Karnataka government to object to the Maharashtra government’s plan to build a new reservoir on the Krishna River in Kolhapur district, saying it would reduce discharge into the state.

“Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently announced in Ichalkaranji that he has given administrative sanction to a new dam under the Radha Krishna Irrigation Project. The dam will tap about 4 tmcft of water from the Krishna river. This will reduce the release to Karnataka by that much and reduce the inflow to the Hippargi and Al bedamargi rivers. Upstream states cannot announce any new plans on interstate rivers without would consult the downstream states. This is not only a violation of the principles of inter-state water sharing, but also a violation of the principles of justice,” Ashok Chandargi, convener of the Central Committee of Kannada Organizations, said in a letter to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

The Maharashtra state government has been preventing the final decision of the Krishna Tribunal from being gazetted since 2013. Maharashtra does not even cooperate with Karnataka on drinking water projects. The Radhakrishna project was formulated to provide drinking water to Ichchalakranji town in Kolhapur district.

If this project is implemented, not enough water will flow into the Kallola barrage at Chikkodi. Hundreds of villages on the banks of the Krishna will also face water scarcity. The Karnataka government cannot sit quietly. It should raise its strong objection against the Radhakrishna project, he said.

It is difficult to understand why Maharashtra is not thinking of utilizing the waters of the Panchganga river which flows right next to Ichchalakarnji. The Karnataka government should warn Maharashtra against escalating the existing river dispute, Mr. Chandargi said in the letter.

Published – 21 Jul 2026 19:38 IST