Hundreds of farmers from Hubballi‑Dharwad and Belagavi staged a protest today, demanding the swift implementation of the long‑promised Kalasa‑Banduri Nala water diversion project, which aims to transfer water from the Mahadayi river to the Malaprabha basin for drinking and irrigation needs.
The project has been mired in legal disputes for over two decades, pitting Karnataka against Goa over ecological and interstate water-sharing concerns. Despite approved clearances by the Central Water Commission, Goa has repeatedly sought stays and court adjudication, stalling progress.
At Kadapa Maidan in Dharwad, farmer organisations—including the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha—marched to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Hubballi-Dharwad, presenting a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. They urged the state government to take legal ownership of court matters and expedite project execution. Farmers warned of escalated agitation if judicial hurdles persist.
This protest follows a joint environmentalists’ rally in Belagavi, where activists from both Karnataka and Goa voiced ecological concerns—underscoring the complexity of balancing developmental needs and environmental protections.
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Project goal: Divert ~7.56 TMC of Mahadayi water through Kalasa and Banduri tributaries to the Malaprabha river, benefiting Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot, and Gadag districts.
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Delayed since: Originally cleared in 2002, revived in 2006, but held back due to Goa's legal objections—now pending before the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal.
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Farmer demands: Assert government's ownership of litigation, impose firm timelines, and remove bottlenecks to prioritize drinking water access.
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Protest signals: Could intensify into statewide mobilisation if courts continue to block progress.
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The Karnataka government may need to formally intervene in tribunal proceedings or request Centre's support for a quicker resolution. Farmers intend to tighten pressure via sustained mobilisation or sit-ins if no legal breakthrough occurs within a fortnight.
