Karnataka to strongly oppose Maharashtra's Krishna-Bhima river diversion project

Karnataka will raise formal objections against Maharashtra's newly proposed Krishna-Bhima river water diversion project, citing potential damage to downstream interests and water security across the state. Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil announced the state's position during a press conference in Vijayapura, stating that the project contravenes established legal frameworks governing inter-state river water distribution.

The development marks an escalation in inter-state water tensions in peninsular India, touching upon long-standing disputes over the allocation of basin resources between riparian states. At issue is a ₹19,000-crore initiative unveiled by Maharashtra to divert approximately 40 TMC feet of floodwater from the Krishna river near Mahabaleshwar toward the Ujjani reservoir on the Bhima river, serving regions in Sangli, Solapur, and Marathwada.

Detailing the state government's concerns, Patil questioned the procedural and legal foundations of the initiative, noting that the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II award has not yet been gazette-notified by the Centre. He asked how the neighboring state had advanced execution and secured World Bank assistance while central authorities have routinely withheld clearance for Karnataka's own priority irrigation schemes, including Stage III of the Upper Krishna Project, citing the pending notification status.

According to official estimates cited during the briefing, Maharashtra has sanctioned ₹24 crore to formulate a Detailed Project Report and initiated geological surveys along an 84-kilometer alignment. Patil noted that the tribunal had previously rejected a similar proposal by Maharashtra to transfer 35 TMC feet from the Upper Krishna sub-basin to the Bhima sub-basin on grounds that long-distance diversion could negatively impact flows and regional utilization.

State officials emphasized that Karnataka will address the matter comprehensively through inter-governmental channels. An all-party meeting is scheduled to be convened under state leadership to formulate a unified strategy across political lines to safeguard regional water availability for farming and municipal needs in northern districts.

Further consultations will take place with legal experts and technical panels to evaluate the implications of the multi-crore diversion scheme before deciding on formal representations to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti and judicial forums.