BELGAUM: Maharashtra government released 300 cusecs of water from Varana reservoir into Krishna river on Monday evening. It had released 600 cusecs of water on Saturday evening from Rajapur barrage into the river and on Sunday evening the government released 1,600 cusecs of water into Krishna river.Maharashtra government’s decision to release water by setting aside all controversies is expected to be an initiative to build healthy relations with Karnataka. The credit of convincing the Maharashtra government goes to the delegation of Karnataka comprising district in-charge minister Umesh Katti, Minister for Heavy Industries Murgesh Nirani and Minister for Water Resources Basavaraj Bommai.Sensing problems faced in drought hit areas of North Karnataka, the mentioned delegation approached Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan last month. They tried convincing him to facilitate 5 TMC ft of water to Karnataka for tackling the drought, but he agreed to provide 2 TMC ft.The decision to provide water to Karnataka took-over a controversial turn after a few opposition leaders were not for it. Raking up the Karnataka-Maharashtra border dispute issue, leaders objected to Maharashtra’s favour. This controversy delayed the decision for about 25 days. Belgaum Deputy Commissioner V Anbukumar told Express here on Monday that the water released will be exclusively utilised for drinking.He said that section 144 has been clamped on the banks of Krishna river. Also operations of about 20,000 water pumps, extracting water from the river, has been banned by disconnecting power supply to them. The water will not be allowed to be used or irrigation for industrial purposes, he said.Meanwhile Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited HBC Division Executive Engineer said 1,600 cusecs of water was released from Varana reservoir on May 5 has still not reached Rajapur Barrage. He added that water of 400 cusecs released from Dudh Ganga river has not reached Karnataka.
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