Vijayapura
Krishna and Bhima, which are two important rivers flowing through Karnataka, originate from Maharashtra. Naturally Maharashtra controls these rivers and every summer Karnataka has to beg the former for its share of water.
There have been instances of Maharashtra demanding money to release water to Karnataka and directing the state to provide water to the villages of Maharashtra bordering Karnataka.
This has been the state of affairs since the reorganisation of states in 1956.Bhima River also known as Chandrabhaga River which originates in Maharashtra flows 300km in Karnataka through Vijayapura and Yadgir districts before entering Telangana.
The river has dried up and 100 villages, which were depending on Bhima, are left in lurch. Indi taluk is among the worst hit. The water bodies in the region have dried up and disruption in power supply hampers supply of water by IP sets.
Maharashtra has not been fair in releasing Karnataka’s rightful share of 45.3 tmc from Ujani Dam as per the 1976 award and Karnatak government is not doing anything to get the water. It should file a contempt case. A few years ago the farmers under the leadership of Panchappa Kalaburgi had launched an agitation but nothing happened, said senior Journalist Gopal Naik.
