Karnataka: MoS Somanna takes on Shivakumar over threat to Tumakuru water

A water war seems to be breaking out between the neighbouring districts of Tumakuru and Bengaluru South (Ramanagar)with Dy CM DK Shivakumar said to be eyeing a share of Hemavathy water for his district.

This has rubbed the Minister of State for Railways & Jal Shakti V Somanna on the wrong side, who has sought Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s intervention to quash his deputy’s plans to divert water from Tumakuru to Bengaluru South, warning of severe protests if his demand is ignored.

Somanna represents Tumakuru in Lok Sabha while Shivakumar represents Kanakapura in Bengaluru South district in the state assembly. Somanna, also a veteran BJP leader, said the Dy CM was pursuing an unscientific Hemavathy Express Link Canal Feeder project mooted by some officials without applying his mind. The project, if implemented, would be disastrous for Tumakuru district’s farmers, the minister told ET.


Somanna said: "I come from Kanakapura myself, but that does not mean we snatch someone's share of water. I have told this to Shivakumar several times, but the government is going ahead. Instead of looking at our water, Shivakumar must strengthen water bodies in his own district for local use."

Shivakumar holds the Water Resources portfolio, while his co-brother Dr HD Ranganath is a Congress MLA from Kunigal in Tumakuru district. Somanna’s two-page letter to the Chief Minister flags threats to Kunigal’s share of water from the river Hemavathi from the proposed project.

The Tumakuru MP, in his letter, said the government has already allocated 901 cusecs of Hemavathi water to Turuvekere, Gubbi, Tumakuru, Tumakuru rural, and 388 cusecs to Kunigal taluk. There is no more water left for allocating to other places.

The Hemavathi Express Link Canal Feeder project is designed to hurt the interests of Tumakuru district, especially Kunigal taluk by proposing to divert its share of water to Shivakumar's native district, Somanna said.

The Water Resources department's initiative has left local farmers deeply worried over the potential water deficit for irrigation in their region.

TG HALLI, MANACHANABELE DAMS
The union minister said there was ample scope to supply water to Magadi, Ramanagara and Kanakapura taluks from Thippagondanahalli and Manchanabele reservoirs in Bengaluru South district, yet the government was creating confusion and concerns in the neighbouring district. This should not become a project that disturbs peace in the region and cordial relationship between the people of the two neighbouring districts.

Somanna urged the CM to intervene and stop the project before people take to the streets in protest and things go out of hand. He also urged the CM to inform him about the status of the project by May 31, or else own up responsibilities for the consequences.