<p>Bagalkot: Although the Upper Krishna Project (UKP) was initiated in 1964, even after 60 years, the project remains incomplete.</p><p>From its inception, the neighbouring states have continued to raise objections and disputes. Despite Karnataka having stood firm against these challenges, the lack of political will among the successive state governments has been a major reason for the project’s prolonged delay.</p><p>One of the major pending tasks is raising the Almatti dam gates from the current level of 519.6 metres to 524.256 metres, which would enable the storage of up to 130 tmc ft of water. However, increasing the dam height poses a potential threat of flooding in districts like Sangli and Kolhapur in Maharashtra.</p><p>Citing this risk, letters are being written from the neighbouring state to reconsider the decision to increase the height of Almatti dam, even after 15 years of the tribunal’s verdict. </p><p>Though the tribunal had delivered its judgement after thoroughly examining arguments and counterarguments, including those related to water sharing, the neighbouring states continue to make fresh claims and raise new disputes from time to time.</p><p><strong>Floods: A recurring issue</strong></p><p>Flooding has become a common phenomenon due to the heavy and consistent rainfall that causes lakhs of cusecs of water to flow through the river basin. Districts like Bagalkot frequently experience flooding every year, especially in some villages in taluks such as Jamkhandi, Bilagi, Bagalkot, and Hunagund. This raises a critical question among the public: Whom should Karnataka hold responsible for this? </p><p><strong>Miscalculations</strong></p><p>Ahead of the state assembly elections in 2023, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had promised in his campaign speeches to complete all irrigation projects in the state, including Almatti, by spending Rs 2 lakh crore over five years. Today, however, he complains that the tribunal’s verdict has not yet been published in the gazette, resulting in the public asking him a question-- Was this fact unknown to him while making such grand promises?</p><p><strong>Are statements on raising dam height a hindrance to K’taka?</strong></p><p>A question that continues to trouble the people is whether the frequent and conflicting statements made by successive governments and political leaders regarding the Almatti dam height have become a stumbling block for Karnataka.</p><p>The tribunal has already approved raising the dam height from 519.6 metres to 524.256 metres. However, the then BJP government, citing financial constraints, proceeded with land acquisition in two phases.</p><p>Amid this, Textiles and Sugarcane Development Minister Shivanand Patil recently made a statement saying that the dam should be raised by only one metre.</p><p>Such contradictory statements and decisions have led to recurring confusion surrounding the proposed height of the dam.</p><p>On the other hand, to complete land acquisition, rehabilitation, resettlement, and associated works, an estimated Rs 1 lakh crore in funding is required. Unfortunately, successive governments have failed to mobilise the necessary resources for this work.</p>
<p>Bagalkot: Although the Upper Krishna Project (UKP) was initiated in 1964, even after 60 years, the project remains incomplete.</p><p>From its inception, the neighbouring states have continued to raise objections and disputes. Despite Karnataka having stood firm against these challenges, the lack of political will among the successive state governments has been a major reason for the project’s prolonged delay.</p><p>One of the major pending tasks is raising the Almatti dam gates from the current level of 519.6 metres to 524.256 metres, which would enable the storage of up to 130 tmc ft of water. However, increasing the dam height poses a potential threat of flooding in districts like Sangli and Kolhapur in Maharashtra.</p><p>Citing this risk, letters are being written from the neighbouring state to reconsider the decision to increase the height of Almatti dam, even after 15 years of the tribunal’s verdict. </p><p>Though the tribunal had delivered its judgement after thoroughly examining arguments and counterarguments, including those related to water sharing, the neighbouring states continue to make fresh claims and raise new disputes from time to time.</p><p><strong>Floods: A recurring issue</strong></p><p>Flooding has become a common phenomenon due to the heavy and consistent rainfall that causes lakhs of cusecs of water to flow through the river basin. Districts like Bagalkot frequently experience flooding every year, especially in some villages in taluks such as Jamkhandi, Bilagi, Bagalkot, and Hunagund. This raises a critical question among the public: Whom should Karnataka hold responsible for this? </p><p><strong>Miscalculations</strong></p><p>Ahead of the state assembly elections in 2023, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had promised in his campaign speeches to complete all irrigation projects in the state, including Almatti, by spending Rs 2 lakh crore over five years. Today, however, he complains that the tribunal’s verdict has not yet been published in the gazette, resulting in the public asking him a question-- Was this fact unknown to him while making such grand promises?</p><p><strong>Are statements on raising dam height a hindrance to K’taka?</strong></p><p>A question that continues to trouble the people is whether the frequent and conflicting statements made by successive governments and political leaders regarding the Almatti dam height have become a stumbling block for Karnataka.</p><p>The tribunal has already approved raising the dam height from 519.6 metres to 524.256 metres. However, the then BJP government, citing financial constraints, proceeded with land acquisition in two phases.</p><p>Amid this, Textiles and Sugarcane Development Minister Shivanand Patil recently made a statement saying that the dam should be raised by only one metre.</p><p>Such contradictory statements and decisions have led to recurring confusion surrounding the proposed height of the dam.</p><p>On the other hand, to complete land acquisition, rehabilitation, resettlement, and associated works, an estimated Rs 1 lakh crore in funding is required. Unfortunately, successive governments have failed to mobilise the necessary resources for this work.</p>