Hidkal dam water sought for beverage industries: Minister Patil
Dharwad: Industries minister MB Patil clarified that release of water from Hidkal dam to Belur Industrial Area in Dharwad has been proposed to support upcoming beverage industries in the industrial estate.
Replying to queries from reporters at Dharwad on Monday, Patil said Hidkal dam has a total storage capacity of 51 tmcft, of which 4 tmcft is earmarked for industrial use. Of this, only 0.5 tmcft has been requested to meet the water needs of beverage companies that signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) during the Global Investors' Meet (GIM), he said. Among the key investors, Ceylon Beverages—owned by Sri Lankan cricket legend Muttiah Muralitharan—has already commenced construction of its plant. Campa, owned by Reliance Jio, has also proposed to set up a beverage manufacturing unit in the region. Patil emphasised that water is a crucial requirement for these industries, and since Dharwad lacks a major river, the proposal to draw water from Hidkal dam was considered a practical solution. He expressed confidence that residents of Belagavi district would understand the importance of industrial development in the region and would not oppose the initiative to establish beverage units in Dharwad and its surroundings.
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