Mumbai
Maharashtra has warned it will approach the Supreme Court if Karnataka proceeds with plans to raise the height of the Almatti Dam, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday. The statement follows Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah reaffirming his government’s commitment to increase the dam’s height from 518 metres to 524 metres and assuring fair compensation to farmers affected by the Upper Krishna Project Phase-3.
Fadnavis noted that Maharashtra had already communicated its concerns to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti last month, and a delegation led by Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patilof the Godavari & Krishna Valley Development Corporation flagged the issue in New Delhi.
The Almatti Dam, situated on the Krishna River in Bijapur district, is critical to water management in the region. The Krishna River, originating from Mahabaleshwar in the Western Ghats, flows through Maharashtra before entering Karnataka. During heavy monsoon, districts like Sangli and Kolhapur, bordering Karnataka, often face inundation. Increasing the dam’s height could exacerbate flooding in these areas.
Maharashtra has also commissioned the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, to conduct a detailed hydrodynamic and simulation study to assess the potential impact of Almatti backwaters. The final report is awaited.
Fadnavis emphasised that the state would take all necessary legal steps to protect its interests and safeguard residents from potential flood risks.
