Karnataka government urged to include water woes of Kolar, Chikkaballapur and Bengaluru Rural districts in agenda for June 19 Cabinet meet

Treated sewage water coming out of a canal through Koramangala Challaghatta project (K. C. Valley project) to improve groundwater level in Kolar district in Karnataka. | Photo Credit: Bhagya Prakash K

The Shaashwatha Neeravari Horata Samithi, a committee seeking resolution of the water woes of parched districts of Kolar, Chikkaballapur and Bengaluru Rural, has urged the government of Karnataka to include the issue in the agenda for the special meeting of the State Cabinet scheduled to be held at Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapur district on June 19.

Samithi president R. Anjaneya Reddy submitted a memorandum in this regard to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh on June 17.

Pointing out that the Samithi had been trying to draw the government’s attention to the water scarcity in these districts, where groundwater in many areas is contaminated by fluoride, nitrate, uranium and arsenic, he said it would be appropriate if the Cabinet discussed the issue, among others, when it holds a special meeting in this region.

While the Yettinahole lift irrigation project is being projected as one that would bring hope for this area, Mr. Reddy questioned why the government of Karnataka is assuring people that the project would yield 24 tmcft of water though the IISc had, in its study report in 2015, expects the actual yield to be less than 8 tmcft.

He expressed concern over the lack of measures to subject water from the KC Valley and HN Valley, that is being channelled to this area, to tertiary treatment despite directions to this effect by Central institutions, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and Monitoring Committee of the National Green Tribunal.

Mr. Reddy sought to know the views of the government on the recommendation of the National Water Development Agency to link Krishna and Pennar rivers so that Krishna water could be drawn to the three districts.

Published - June 18, 2025 01:18 pm IST