Mangaluru: The state government, which is stubborn about implementing Yettinahole project despite opposition from coastal districts, might now have to rethink on it as the project is likely to result in interstate water dispute and finally help the neighbouring states!
Yettinahole project was launched to provide water to the parched areas of Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru Rural and Chitradurga districts. But a submission by the National Water Development Authority (NWDA) on Yettinahole is likely to bring sleepless nights to the state government as the letter hints at considering water from Yettinahole as additional water to the Krishna and Cauvery basin while allocating water under Cauvery and Krishna tribunals.
Experts feel that going by the NWDA’s letter, the project might finally help Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The submission by NWDA reads “Since 8.98 tmc of water is released to the irrigation tanks in Cauvery and Krishna basin (through Yettinahole project) it has to be accounted by the Cauvery and Krishna Tribunals in allocation of water from these rivers to the concerned states.” “This statement is likely to create new problem for the state,” technical expert and former Professor of NITK- Surathkal Prof S G Mayya warned.
“This has been stated by NWDA before the green tribunal. Once it has come in public domain, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu would certainly take it up and go to the Tribunal. As a result, the tribunal might reduce the portion of Karnataka’s share in Cauvery and Krishna rivers proportionately. Finally the project would end up helping our neighbours,” he said.
“There is not enough water at Yettinahole to provide to parched areas. Even if government manages to provide water then it would help our neighbouring states rather than helping our state,” he added. Mayya said that if the government was serious about providing drinking water to the parched areas, then it should think of alternative projects.
Two tribunals
The Cauvery water tribunal was constituted to adjudicate Cauvery water disputes between Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. Similarly Krishna water tribunal was constituted to resolve the Krishna river dispute between Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
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