Karnataka Seeks 4 TMCFT Drinking Water from Maharashtra

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis requesting the release of 2 tmcft of water from Krishna river reservoirs and 2 tmcft from the Bhima river. The letter, sent on April 22, aims to ensure drinking water supply to districts in northern Karnataka.

Reservoir levels in northern Karnataka are lower this year due to leakage of around 1.5 tmcft of water from the Hippargi barrage and delayed rainfall in catchment areas.

The Karnataka government is planning to seek additional water from Maharashtra, with Minister Satish Jarkiholi in favor of a water swap arrangement.

The two states have been discussing a water swap agreement, but it is yet to materialize due to disagreements over the cost of laying pipelines for the project.

The court or official response is not applicable in this case, but the Karnataka government will likely follow up on its request, and the Maharashtra government is expected to respond to the request soon.