A Right to Information (RTI) query has revealed that the water released from the Hidkal Reservoir to industrial areas exceeds the sanctioned limit, sparking serious concerns about water allocation and public interest.
The information was obtained through an RTI filed by Sujit Mulgund. As per the data shared by the Assistant Executive Engineer of Subdivision-2, CBC, Hidkal Dam under Karnataka Neeravari Nigam, more than twice the approved volume has been released to industries, despite official claims suggesting otherwise.
While only 0.10 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet) of water was allocated for industrial use, a total of 0.229 TMC has been diverted, significantly overshooting the permissible amount.
Built in 1961, the Hidkal Dam was intended primarily for irrigation and drinking water. The diversion of additional water to industrial purposes has caused concern, particularly as several villages in Belagavi, Bagalkot, and Vijayapura rely on this reservoir for drinking water. Many of these areas already depend on water tankers during the summer months.
Experts and irrigation activists have strongly criticized the move, calling it a breach of the National Water Policy, 2011, which prioritizes drinking water above all and ranks industrial use the lowest. With water levels expected to decline further, the excessive diversion could severely affect both the drinking water supply and agricultural needs, raising fears of drought-like conditions.
“This reservoir wasn’t created to serve a handful of industries; it supports the livelihood of countless villages,” said Mulgund.
There is growing public demand for transparency and accountability. Citizens and activists are urging the government to issue a comprehensive explanation and take appropriate action against those responsible. If ignored, the issue could escalate into large-scale protests.
