Belagavi: The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) – Narayana Gowda faction – has declared a major protest rally in Belagavi on Friday against the state government’s decision to divert water from the Hidkal dam to industries located in Hubballi-Dharwad.
Addressing the media on Thursday, KRV’s Belagavi district president Deepak Gudaganatti appealed to the public and local organisations to support the protest. He warned that if the government fails to revoke the decision, the agitation would escalate into a full-scale Belagavi bandh.
Gudaganatti accused the authorities of pushing the project without proper approvals. “The pipeline work began without informing the district minister or local bodies. We opposed it then, and we oppose it now. There seems to be an invisible hand pushing this,” he alleged.
He highlighted the vital role of Hidkal dam in supplying water to Belagavi city and surrounding districts like Bagalkot, particularly during harsh summer months. “Diverting water to another district for industrial use, while our region faces shortages, is not only unfair but outrageous,” he said, urging even Bagalkot residents to raise their voices.
Taking aim at Hubballi-Dharwad political leaders, Gudaganatti claimed they have used their influence in the central government to divert not only water but also industries and government institutions away from Belagavi. “We will not allow them to snatch our water too,” he stated firmly.
Several district and state-level KRV leaders were also present at the press briefing.
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