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Time of India
29-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
State cabinet clears canal restoration at 14th century dam site
Haveri: The Karnataka cabinet granted administrative approval for rehabilitating the primary canals of Madaga-Masuru lake in Rattihalli taluk, allocating Rs 52.2 crore. This historical water body, featuring a Vijayanagara-era dam, is situated across the Kumudvathi River near Masuru village. The reservoir, with a 0.056 tmcft capacity, services 715 hectares. Its infrastructure comprises a 11 kilometre left bank canal and a 13 kilometre right bank canal, supporting 243 and 427 hectares respectively. The canal system, constructed in 1862, experienced substantial degradation. Current issues include erosion, overgrown vegetation, and silt deposits. Damaged gates result in water seepage, affecting distribution to end-point fields. Local farmers and MLA UB Banakar subsequently sought govt assistance for canal upgradation. The Rs 52.2 crore initiative includes thorough renovation of the main canals and associated CD works at Madaga-Masuru lake. The project scope, aligned with agricultural requirements, encompasses the renovation of both canal banks, supplementary CD works, the suspension canal, and the restoration of road bridges, cattle ramps, and canal crossing structures. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The Karnataka Niravari Nigama Limited (KNNL) review committee presented a detailed modernisation assessment on Aug 22, 2024, endorsing the Rs 52.2 crore proposal for administrative sanction following board approval. KNNL's managing director confirmed that one-third of the project funding would be allocated this year, with incorporation into the 2025-26 fiscal year action plan. "This is a historic lake built under the Vijayanagar dynasty. We have a responsibility to protect this ancient lake. Thanks to district minister Shivanand Patil, CM Siddaramaiah, and water resources minister and DCM DK Shivakumar for sanctioning grants," said UB Banakar, MLA, Hirekerur. "The left and right bank main canals of Madaga-Masuru lake were in disrepair, making it impossible to supply water to the fields at the tail end. MLA UB Banakar aspired to modernise these canals and ensure proper water supply to the end sections as per the project plan," stated Shivanand Patil, district minister of Haveri. Ancient lake 'Mayadantha Male Banthanna, Madagada Kerege', (There was a mystical downpour at Madaga lake) says a renowned Kannada folk song, celebrates our state's heritage. Madaga lake displays its splendour during the monsoon. The origins of Madaga Masuru Lake are linked to a poignant tale. The lake, spanning 1,700 acres, was created through the sacrifice of Kenchamma, the daughter-in-law of the Masuru village chief (Goudru). Approximately 400 years ago, despite numerous attempts, the villagers struggled to fill the water body. Concerned by this situation, the village chief sought advice from an astrologer, who suggested sacrificing a newlywed woman. Subsequently, a decision was made to sacrifice his daughter-in-law, Kenchamma. The lake was named in her memory. It is widely believed that the lake dates back to the Vijayanagara rule. It is said that a Vijayanagara king witnessed the raising of the great single-stone pillars of the sluices. The sluices of the lake were built on the same principle as other old local sluices. According to an Arabic inscription, the tank was repaired by the Nawab of Savanur.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Severe staff shortage cripples KNNL's operations
Belagavi: Operations of the Karnataka Niravari Nigam Ltd (KNNL) in the Belagavi North Range are severely hampered due to an alarming 54% staff shortage. Out of 1,322 sanctioned posts, 712 remain vacant. The crisis is particularly acute in the engineering wing, with 159 out of 216 assistant engineer positions unfilled, placing a heavy burden on the remaining personnel. KNNL oversees irrigation operations across six districts—Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Dharwad, Gadag, and Haveri—under Belagavi division. It manages major water infrastructure, including Almatti, Hidkal, Naviluteertha, Markandeya, and Hipparagi reservoirs, as well as the Rajapur, Dudhganga, and Kallol barrages. Currently, the division is handling 31 active projects, which include 4 small irrigation projects, 7 ongoing lift irrigation schemes, 6 new lift irrigation projects, 8 pond-filling initiatives, and 6 other projects. The combined project value stands at Rs 13,866 crore, and additional proposals are under preparation, demanding a robust workforce. According to departmental sources, the shortage of engineers is critically impacting operations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo Of the 216 sanctioned assistant engineer posts, only 57 are working. The situation is similarly dire for junior engineers—97 of the 133 posts lie vacant, leaving just 36 officers on duty. The vacuum extends to senior positions as well, with 8 of 13 executive engineer posts vacant. Other key vacancies include 17 out of 38 technical assistant posts and 15 out of 44 assistant executive engineers. medical officer, assistant chemical engineer, and assistant land scientist posts are also vacant. Also, 268 out of 526 Group 'C' posts and 153 out of 337 Group 'D' posts are vacant. Officials note that no recruitment has been done since 2019, despite KNNL regularly updating the govt on the vacancies. Recently, district minister Satish Jarkiholi expressed concern over the issue during a review meeting. Speaking to The TOI, the chief engineer BR Rathore of KNNL said, "It is up to the govt to take a call on filling the vacant posts. We urgently need personnel at the grassroots level—especially watermen, legal staff for handling court and land acquisition cases, and more. The shortage is severely affecting our efficiency," Rathore said.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
RTI revelation exposes massive over-allocation of Hidkal dam water to industries
Belagavi: In a significant development that could intensify the ongoing opposition to the diversion of Hidkal Dam water to industries in Hubballi-Dharwad, activist and whistleblower Sujit Mulgund unveiled official documents revealing that industrial units received nearly 22 times more water than the original allocation. Mulgund shared a letter from the assistant executive engineer of the Karnataka Niravari Nigam Limited (KNNL), CBC subdivision No. 2, dated July 6, 2024. The letter, addressed to the executive engineer, discloses that only 0.1 tmcft of water was initially allocated to industries under the project report. However, the allocation surged to 0.2 tmcft gradually, and there is an additional fresh demand of 0.5 tmcft under the Bengaluru-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project, part of the Suvarna Karnataka Corridor initiative. Crucially, the letter indicates that the excess allocation already far surpassed the sanctioned limit. If the additional 0.5 tmcft is approved, it would come at the cost of irrigation water meant for farmers, a point likely to fuel further unrest among farming communities. Last month, the Karnataka govt approved the controversial diversion of 0.5 tmcft from Hidkal Dam to industrial areas in Hubballi-Dharwad, sparking widespread protests across Belagavi and neighbouring districts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Farmers and civil society groups decried the move, arguing it threatens their livelihood and violates the dam's original purpose. Earlier, water resources minister MB Patil claimed that the water being diverted was within the allocated limits. However, Mulgund's findings—obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act—contradict the minister's statement. Pipeline construction for the water diversion began over four months ago—without formal approval, tenders, or even informing the local administration, including district minister Satish Jarkiholi. The work only came to light when local farmers discovered pipelines being laid across their fields. In response, several organisations launched protests under the slogan 'Namma Neeru, Namma Hakku', prompting the Belagavi DC to halt the work temporarily. Despite the opposition, the project resumed following a green signal from the state cabinet. Activist Mulgund sought further details under RTI—including the tender cost, official approvals, and progress reports—but KNNL denied the information, citing confidentiality. Constructed in 1961 and named after former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, the Hidkal dam was built to provide irrigation and drinking water. Though it has a storage capacity of 51 tmcft, effective availability is only around 44 tmcft due to siltation and unusable reserves. Speaking to the TOI, Mulgund criticised the lack of transparency. "The RTI documents clearly prove that more water has already been diverted to industries than originally sanctioned. Any additional diversion will directly impact farmers in Belagavi, Bagalkot and Vijayapura," he said.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Rs 150 crore sanctioned for Tungabhadra barrage-cum-bridge to ease Haveri's water woes
HAVERI: The Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL) sanctioned Rs 150 crore for building a barrage across the Tungabhadra River near Kancharagatti in Haveri taluk. The project received approval during the KNNL board of directors' meeting on Jan 25, 2025. The board advised submitting a DPR (detailed project report) to obtain govt administrative approval. KNNL allocated Rs 50 crore initially for the project and set aside Rs 50 lakh for DPR preparation. The initiative will support 17 tanks under the Budapanahalli Lift Irrigation scheme while addressing drinking water requirements in Guttal and Haveri city. Despite 28 years since the Haveri district's establishment, the city continues to face severe drinking water shortages. Although the Haveri City Municipal Council maintains water lifting facilities at the Tungabhadra River near Kancharagatti and Karjagi from the Varada River, both sources run dry during summer. The request for a barrage across the Tungabhadra River for drinking water has persisted for 20 years, with previous administrations taking no action. Currently, with support from deputy speaker and MLA Rudrappa Lamani and Haveri district minister Shivanand Patil, residents are optimistic about their longstanding request being fulfilled. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Almafuerte (ver precio) Verisure Undo Shivanand Patil said: "I will direct the officers concerned to call a tender for fixing an agency to prepare the DPR for constructing a barrage across the Tungabhadra River. The CM also agreed to move the project in the cabinet for getting administrative approval.
