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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
CM's oppn to rise of Almatti dam height sparks row
Vijayapura: CM Devendra Fadnavis' opposition to the proposed increase in height of Almatti dam has reignited tensions between Maharashtra and Karnataka over the Krishna river water. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It comes even as Karnataka struggles to complete the long-pending Upper Krishna Project Phase-2. In a letter to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Fadnavis objected to raising the dam's height from 519 m to 524 m, claiming it would flood upstream areas of Sangli and Kolhapur in Maharashtra. However, his objections have been contested after revelations that a high-level expert committee appointed by Maharashtra govt in 2020 had found no basis for such apprehensions. The seven-member panel, led by irrigation expert and ex-Maharashtra principal secretary Nandakumar Vadnere, had studied flood patterns and the river basin across both states before submitting its findings. The committee's report, submitted to then CM Uddhav Thackeray, concluded the recurring floods in Sangli and Kolhapur were not linked to water storage in Almatti and Hipparagi reservoirs. Instead, the report blamed "encroachment in the river basin and illegal, unscientific construction of buildings in Sangli and Kolhapur" as primary causes. Other members of the committee included Sanjay Ghanekar, R R Pawar, Pradeep Purandare, Atul Kapole, N S Khare and Dhairyasheel Pawar. During their study, the committee members visited locations including Almatti dam and Hipparagi reservoir, where Karnataka officials briefed them on water storage and flood-prevention measures. Maharashtra's stand marks the first formal objection since the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal delivered its final verdict in 2013, allocating 173 tmcft of Krishna water to Karnataka.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Vikhe Patil to irrigation dept: Study concerns on Almatti dam
Kolhapur: Water resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil on Wednesday asked irrigation department officials to study concerns raised by activists over Karnataka's plan to raise the height of the Almatti dam on Krishna river. Activists from Sangli and Kolhapur districts, along with elected representatives, met Vikhe Patil on Wednesday. They claimed raising the height of Almatti dam by 5 metres — from 519m to 524m — would aggravate the flooding situation in both districts. They also blamed the dam for the floods in 2005, 2019, and 2021. Sarjerao Patil, convenor of the Krishna Mahapur Niyantran Samiti, said, "The minister asked the irrigation department officials to study the issues and submit the report within 15 days. Kolhapur's guardian minister, Prakash Abitkar, who was present during the meeting, assured that a meeting will be held in Kolhapur to address this issue." Patil added that minister Chandrakant Patil mentioned that Maharashtra is a party to the petition filed by Telangana and Andhra Pradesh against raising the height of Almatti dam. "Vikhe Patil said that a plan of Rs3,200 crore to divert flood water from Krishna basin to Marathawada has been approved. We told him that it is not possible as per the Nandkumar Vadnere committee, to which the water resources minister said govt will make changes in the report and get it approved by the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal," Patil said. After the meeting in Mumbai, Congress MLC Satej Patil met the activists and assured them that the fight to stop Karnataka from raising the height of the Almatti dam will continue.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Protest at Ankali bridge against Karnataka's plan to increase Almatti height
Kolhapur: A demonstration will be organised at the Ankali bridge across the Krishna river, which links Kolhapur and Sangli districts, to halt traffic and draw Maharashtra govt's attention to Karnataka's proposal to increase the Almatti dam an all-party meeting in Kolhapur on Sunday, Congress MLC Satej Patil declared the decision to conduct the 'chakka jam andolan'. The meeting saw participation from politicians and activists representing flood-affected regions of both Kolhapur and Sangli govt seeks a central notification permitting an increase in the dam's height from 519m to 524m. Although the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal decided in Karnataka's favour, the Supreme Court suspended the ruling in 2018 following objections from Telangana and Maharashtra."Karnataka govt is seeking funds for the rehabilitation of people who will be affected by raising the height of the Almatti dam. We want Maharashtra govt to raise our concerns before Centre, objecting to Karnataka's plan. The meeting was expected to take place on May 7 with the Jal Shakti ministry; however, it could not take place. We will meet the Maharashtra minister and present our concerns," said Satej have identified the Almatti dam as the cause of recent flooding in Kolhapur and Sangli districts. Swabhimani Sanghatana chief and former MP Raju Shetti recently said Karnataka had initiated land acquisition and compensation for 30 villages affected by the dam height increase. "Karnataka govt has earmarked just Rs 5,000 crore for the relocation of residents. It will require lakhs of crores, for which it is insisting Centre contributes," said Satej Patil. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
