Karnataka: Protest against move to draw Hidkal dam water for industries in Hubballi-Dharwad

Belagavi: Members of various organisations, including Kannada and farmer bodies, MES and Srirama Sene, under the banner of Namma Neeru Namma Hakku, on Monday staged a protest here, opposing the KIADB’s project to supply water from Hidkal dam in the district to the industrial areas in Hubballi-Dharwad.

The agitators took out a protest march from Rani Chennamma Circle to regional commissioner and deputy commissioner’s office and submitted a memorandum demanding that the works on the project be stopped immediately.

The district minister is feigning ignorance of the works undertaken to supply Hidkal dam water to the industrial areas in Hubballi-Dharwad. How can the officials take up work without bringing it to the notice of the minister?. The minister and the officials should clarify, they demanded.

There is not enough water in the dams to meet the drinking water needs of the biggest district in the state.

Even Hidkal village gets drinking water supply once in a week. In such a situation, how can they (KIADB officials) divert Hidal dam water for the industrial use of another district, the protesters charged.

They warned of an intensified protest if they do not shelve the ‘unauthorised’ project.