Karnataka Raises Objections to Maharashtra's Krishna River Diversion Plan
Karnataka's Minister M.B. Patil announces strong opposition to Maharashtra's proposal to divert Krishna river water, citing potential harm to the state's interests.
Karnataka plans to formally object to Maharashtra's water diversion project.
The project aims to divert 40 tmcft of water, raising concerns about its legality and impact.
An all-party meeting will be held to unify the state's stance against the project.
Karnataka's Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil announced on Sunday that the state will oppose Maharashtra's initiative to divert water from the Krishna river to the Bhima river. Patil emphasized that this project, which aims to transfer approximately 40 tmcft of water, poses a significant threat to Karnataka's water resources and interests.
Patil, who previously served as the state's Irrigation Minister, expressed concerns over the legality of the project, questioning the basis on which the Maharashtra government is proceeding. He pointed out that the project appears to fall outside the jurisdiction of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II) verdict. Furthermore, he sought clarification from the Union government regarding Maharashtra's financial backing from the World Bank for this initiative.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has indicated that the project includes plans to channel Krishna water into the Ujjani Dam, aimed at supplying water to regions in Marathwada and parts of Sangli and Solapur. Fadnavis claimed that work has already begun and that the World Bank is involved in funding. Patil highlighted potential alterations to water flow patterns in the Upper Krishna sub-basin, which could affect the Almatti reservoir's water levels, raising alarms about water availability for Karnataka and neighboring states.
Patil stressed the importance of addressing such projects collaboratively, stating that an all-party meeting will soon be convened to discuss the matter. He assured that all political factions would unite to protect Karnataka's interests against unilateral actions that disregard established water-sharing agreements. The Minister also revealed that Maharashtra allocated ₹24 crore in July 2026 for a Detailed Project Report (DPR) related to this initiative, with an estimated total project cost of around ₹19,000 crore.
The proposed diversion project raises significant legal and environmental questions, particularly in light of the KWDT-II verdict, which governs water allocation among states. The Tribunal has allocated a total of 2,130 tmcft of water based on 75% dependability, with additional allocations made to various states. Patil pointed out that the Tribunal allows for revisions to water allocation orders post-2050, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of any new projects affecting river water distribution.
