We’re ready to raise Almatti dam height if there are no legal problems, says Minister

Minister M.B. Patil serves food to a woman at the Indira canteen after inaugurating it in the District Hospital in Vijayapura on Sunday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The State government is ready to increase the height of the Lal Bahadur Shastri reservoir on the Krishna at Almatti if there are no legal problems, Minister M.B. Patil said in Vijayapura on Sunday.

He was responding to a suggestion by Minister Shivanand Patil that the State will not face any legal problems if it were to increase the height of the dam by one metre.

This suggestion, Mr. Shivanand Patil claimed, was given by senior advocate Mohan Kataraki, who has represented the State in the Supreme Court.

M.B. Patil said that he has no information of such a suggestion by Mr. Kataraki.

“However, we are open minded about it. We will consult our legal team and go ahead with increasing the dam height if it will not invite any legal challenges. We are willing to take up land acquisition and rehabilitation, if the height is to be increased,” the Minister for Industries said.

M.B. Patil dismissed statement made by some farmers leaders and politicians in Maharashtra that impounding water in the Almatti is leading to flooding in Maharashtra, saying they have no scientific basis.

“There have been two study reports that have proved that impounding of water in the Almatti has no effect on flooding in Maharashtra. This is an unfounded belief. There is no need to panic,” he said.

Earlier, he chaired an urgent meeting of officials for flood control, COVID-19 preparedness, moon preparations and a review of the district’s standing in SSLC and PU examination results.

He also spoke to officials about preparing for a Cabinet meeting in Vijayapura district.

He told reporters that the government will consider all options to improve the quality of education, including exploring possibilities of working with private institutions.

To a query, he said that he will speak to Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna to provide direct railway connectivity to Vijayapura from Hubballi and Hosapete.

M.B. Patil said that the State government will file an appeal in the Supreme Court to clear hurdles for the airport in Vijayapura.

He laid the foundation stone for basic amenities like high-mast electric lights, bus facilities and sewage system in the Karnataka Housing Board Colony on Ittangihal Road. A water supply project at an estimated cost of ₹90 lakh was launched. He thanked residents for planting 1,500 trees.

The Minister inaugurated an indoor stadium in Kanakadas Colony that has a gymnasium, shuttle badminton court, basketball and other facilities. He also inaugurated a unit of the Indira Canteen inaugurated on the District Hospital premises.

MLA Viththal Katakadond, Urban Development Authority chairman Abdul Hameed Mushrif, Deputy Commissioner T. Bhoobalan, City Corporation Commissioner Vijaykumar Mekkalaki, officers, community leaders and others were present.

Published - June 01, 2025 07:50 pm IST