Vijayapura: In anticipation of the Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal’s (KWDT) forthcoming verdict on the distribution of the river’s waters, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene a meeting with the Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Siddaramaiah emphasised the urgency of addressing the issue to reach a resolution swiftly.
On Wednesday, during a visit to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Dam at Almatti, Siddaramaiah participated in Ganga Puja and offered Bagina to the Krishna River. The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of increasing the height of the Almatti Dam from its current 519.6 metres to 524.25 metres, a move that requires the Centre’s approval through a gazette notification.
Siddaramaiah underscored that raising the reservoir’s height is crucial for Karnataka to secure its rightful share of the Krishna River’s waters. “Only then can we raise the reservoir’s height, and claim our rightful share of the river’s waters,” he asserted.
The Krishna River, a vital water source for the southern states, has been the subject of disputes over its allocation for decades. The KWDT, established to address these disputes, is expected to deliver its verdict soon, making Siddaramaiah’s call for a meeting timely and significant.
Karnataka has been advocating for an equitable distribution of the river’s waters, especially in light of the state’s growing water needs for agriculture, drinking, and industrial purposes. The proposed increase in the Almatti Dam’s height is seen as a key step in ensuring that Karnataka can maximise its water resources.
The Chief Minister’s appeal to the Prime Minister reflects the urgency of the situation, as any delay in resolving the dispute could have significant implications for the states involved. Siddaramaiah’s request for a multi-state meeting underscores the need for a collaborative approach to finding a lasting solution to the Krishna water-sharing issue.
As the KWDT prepares to issue its verdict, the outcome of Siddaramaiah’s appeal to the Prime Minister will be closely watched by stakeholders in all four states, each of which has a vested interest in the river’s waters.