Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai Advocates for Varada-Bedti River Linking Project in Haveri
In a significant development for water resource management in Karnataka, former Chief Minister and Haveri MP Basavaraj Bommai has strongly championed the proposed Varada-Bedti River Linking project. Speaking at a farmers' organisation meeting held at Hukkeri Math in Haveri city on Monday, Bommai emphasized that river water is a shared natural resource that does not belong to any single individual, government, or community.
Technical Details and Environmental Considerations
Bommai provided specific technical details about the project, noting that approximately 160 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water flows through the Bedti River on average. Under the new proposal, only 8-10% of this water would be diverted to the Varada River. He highlighted that the current plan differs substantially from previous proposals in several key aspects.
No water would be collected from outside the river basin, and no dams would be constructed as part of this initiative. Instead, the project would involve building barrages to collect water, a method Bommai asserted would minimize environmental impact. "Taking a pot of water from the river does not harm it, but the same pot can quench a family's thirst," he explained, using a metaphor to illustrate the project's balanced approach.
Addressing Opposition and Moving Forward
The former chief minister addressed potential opposition to the project, stating that critics could appoint experts and hold discussions once the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is prepared. However, he warned against jeopardizing the lives of farmers and the public in Haveri district. "We cannot risk the welfare of our agricultural community," Bommai emphasized.
He called for a delegation to approach both central and state governments to advocate for the project's implementation. This strategic move would help secure necessary approvals and funding for the initiative that aims to resolve the district's longstanding irrigation challenges.
Political and Community Support
Former MP Manjunath Kunnur echoed Bommai's sentiments, stating that the plan specifically targets the resolution of the district's irrigation issues. He emphasized the importance of public support, suggesting that if 20,000 people protest the project, supporters must rally in even greater numbers to demonstrate community backing.
Kunnur also recommended appointing irrigation experts as technical advisers during the DPR preparation phase to ensure the project's technical soundness and effectiveness.
Broad-Based Participation in the Meeting
The farmers' organisation meeting attracted significant political and community representation, including:
- MLAs Basavaraj Shivannavar, Rudrappa Lamani, UB Banakar, Srinivas Mane, and Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan
- Former MLAs Shivaraj Sajjanar and Virupakshappa Ballari
- Advocate Sandeep Patil
- Congress leader Anandswamy Gaddadevarmath
- Numerous farmers' leaders, religious leaders, and members of the public
This diverse participation underscores the broad interest in water resource management and agricultural development in the region. The Varada-Bedti River Linking project represents a potential solution to water distribution challenges that have affected Haveri district for years, with proponents arguing it could significantly improve irrigation capabilities while maintaining environmental responsibility through its innovative approach using barrages rather than traditional dam construction.
