Stop the Stalemate: Bommai Pressures Centre on Karnataka’s Water Rights & Delayed Projects
Bommai demands immediate action on interlinking projects, a tribunal-led approach for disputes, and a fair water-sharing framework that protects Karnataka’s interests.
BNH NETWORK
Demands for Upper Krishna and Mahadayi Project Approvals
New Delhi: Former Karnataka Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai has strongly advocated for the Centre’s intervention in resolving Karnataka’s long-pending irrigation projects. Speaking in Parliament during discussions on the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s demands, he stressed the need for a swift resolution to the stalled Upper Krishna and Mahadayi projects, blaming legal and political delays for Karnataka’s water crisis.
Bommai urged the Union government to clarify legal aspects of the Interstate Water Disputes Act to the Supreme Court and facilitate the execution of the Upper Krishna Project, which has been in limbo for 15 years. Despite a tribunal ruling in 2010, the project remains stalled due to ongoing disputes between Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana over water distribution. Bommai emphasized Karnataka’s right to raise the Almatti reservoir height to 524 meters, asserting that it would neither harm Maharashtra nor deprive Andhra Pradesh and Telangana of water.
Mekedatu & Mahadayi Projects: Karnataka’s Unresolved Battles
Bommai further pushed for clearance of the Mekedatu project, a reservoir and drinking water initiative pending approval for six years. The Centre must instruct the Central Water Resources Commission (CWRC) and the Central Water Commission (CWC) to expedite decisions. Additionally, despite a favorable tribunal verdict, the Mahadayi River project faces hurdles due to lack of environmental clearance, leaving Karnataka at a disadvantage.
FACT FILE: KARNATAKA’S WATER PROJECTS & DEMANDS
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Key Leader | Basavaraj Bommai (Former CM, MP) |
| Projects Demanded | Upper Krishna, Mahadayi, Mekedatu, Bedti-Varada |
| Main Concerns | Legal delays, political interference, tribunal inefficiency |
| Krishna Tribunal Verdict | Given in 2010, yet unimplemented |
| Almatti Reservoir Demand | Raise height to 524 meters |
| Mahadayi Tribunal | Verdict in favor of Karnataka, but clearance pending |
| Proposed Solution | Single national tribunal for water disputes |
| Water Crisis Status | Karnataka’s water security under threat |
| Government Support | Praise for Jal Jeevan Mission |
Call for the Bedti-Varada Link Project & Water Rights Protection
Asserting the importance of interlinking rivers, Bommai demanded the immediate launch of the Bedti-Varada project, which falls within his Haveri Lok Sabha constituency but has yet to see progress. He also highlighted Karnataka’s exclusion from discussions on the interlinking of the Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna, and Cauvery rivers, urging the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) to safeguard the state’s interests.
A National Water Tribunal: Bommai’s Bold Proposal
To put an end to water-sharing deadlocks, Bommai proposed the creation of a single national water tribunal, led by a sitting Supreme Court judge, with a strict six-month deadline to resolve disputes. He criticized existing tribunals for delays, noting that unresolved cases have inflated project costs from ₹200 crore to ₹20,000 crore over decades. “This is not just judicial delay—it is a denial of justice,” he stated.
Central Government’s Role & Karnataka’s Water Future
Bommai lauded the Jal Jeevan Mission, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil for prioritizing clean drinking water nationwide. He stressed that natural resources must be treated as national assets and highlighted India’s worsening water crisis, as the country moves from a green to yellow water scarcity zone.
As Karnataka continues its battle for water rights, Bommai’s demands highlight the need for urgent political and legal interventions. With millions depending on these projects for irrigation and drinking water, the Centre's response will determine the state’s future in India’s growing water crisis.
