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This decision comes after the Devendra Fadnavis-led government in Maharashtra flagged potential flood risk and water management challenges due to Karnataka’s unilateral actions
A key meeting marked a major development in the ongoing Maharashtra-Karnataka water dispute. (Image: News18)
The Centre has initiated an official inquiry into alleged irregularities in the construction and proposed height increase of the Almatti Dam and Hippargi Barrage in Karnataka.
This decision comes after the Devendra Fadnavis-led government in Maharashtra flagged potential flood risk and water management challenges due to Karnataka’s unilateral actions.
The key meeting on Monday marked a major development in the ongoing Maharashtra-Karnataka water dispute. With the Centre now directly involved, the focus will shift to the findings of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and if Karnataka’s proposals adhere to inter-state water management norms and ecological balance.
In the meeting held in New Delhi, Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil said the matter will be thoroughly investigated by the NDSA. A high-level delegation, led by Maharashtra’s water resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, was present at the meeting and later briefed the media on the central government’s response.
“The Centre has taken serious note of our concerns. The National Dam Safety Authority will look into the construction and operational inconsistencies in Almatti and Hippargi projects. This is a significant step towards safeguarding the interests of the people of Kolhapur, Sangli, and the entire downstream region of Krishna river,” said Vikhe Patil.
The delegation included Kolhapur guardian minister Prakash Abitkar, co-guardian minister Madhuri Misal, and several MPs and MLAs from flood-prone districts like Kolhapur and Sangli. Also present were chairperson of the Central Water Commission, Maharashtra Water Resources Department Additional Chief Secretary Deepak Kapoor, and Union Jal Shakti Ministry Secretary Debashree Mukherjee.
Karnataka recently submitted a proposal to raise the full reservoir level (FRL) of the Almatti Dam from 519.60 m to 524.256 m, a move Maharashtra has strongly opposed. Maharashtra has argued that even with the current dam height, massive flooding occurred in 2019 and 2021, causing devastation across its western districts.
The Maharashtra delegation warned that increasing the height could worsen backwater flooding in the Krishna river and its tributaries, reducing natural flow, damaging agricultural land, and disrupting local life.
Vikhe Patil said the state government’s own studies show how Almatti has already affected water retention and flow patterns, especially in Kolhapur and Sangli.
“The discharge rate of floodwaters has drastically slowed down, leading to prolonged inundation and rising flood frequencies. These districts now live under constant flood threat,” he said.
The delegation urged the government to intervene before irreversible environmental and human damage takes place and highlighted how Fadnavis had earlier raised a red flag, writing a detailed letter to the Centre questioning the dam height expansion.
“The CM has taken a strong and clear stand. We are committed to safeguarding our people’s lives and livelihoods. We are not against development, but it must not come at the cost of human suffering,” he said.
Prominent political leaders in the delegation included MPs Shahu Chhatrapati, Vishal Patil, Dhairyasheel Mane, Dhananjay Mahadik, and MLAs Satej Patil, Arun Lad, Dr Vishwajeet Kadam, Rajendra Patil Yadravkar, Sadaabhau Khot, and others.
Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st…Read More
Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st… Read More
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