The Shaashwatha Neeravari Horata Samithi, a committee dedicated to highlighting the water woes of Karnataka’s parched regions, has made a strong appeal to the state government to include the issue in the agenda for the upcoming Cabinet meeting scheduled on June 19 at Nandi Hills, located in Chikkaballapur district.

The memorandum was submitted by Samithi president R. Anjaneya Reddy to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh on June 17, just two days before the meeting. The committee has been vocal about the acute drinking water shortage and contaminated groundwater in the districts of Kolar, Chikkaballapur, and Bengaluru Rural. These regions have been historically neglected in water infrastructure development and face severe scarcity and contamination issues.

Toxic Groundwater and Lack of Access

The Samithi has raised alarm over the presence of toxic substances like fluoride, nitrate, uranium and arsenic in the groundwater of these districts. These contaminants are not only harmful to health but are also responsible for a sharp decline in the quality of life in these rural areas. Many villages have no access to safe drinking water, forcing residents to depend on private water suppliers or travel long distances for water.

Repeated attempts by the Samithi to draw attention to this issue had not been successful until this memorandum, which clearly outlines the urgency for government intervention. The timing of the June 19 Cabinet meeting—being held right in the heart of one of the affected districts—presents a rare opportunity for the government to act decisively.

Questioning the Yettinahole Lift Irrigation Project

The Yettinahole project, long touted by the government as a solution for water-stressed districts, came under scrutiny from the Samithi. Mr. Reddy questioned the government’s claim that 24 TMCFT of water would be made available to the region from the project. He pointed to a 2015 report by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), which estimated the actual yield to be under 8 TMCFT—just one-third of the projected promise.

This raises serious concerns about misrepresentation, inflated promises, and potential misallocation of state funds. If the yield projections are not backed by hydrological evidence, the investment into such projects may result in more debt than relief.

Tertiary Water Treatment Neglected

The memorandum also mentions the water flowing from KC Valley and HN Valley, which is being diverted to these districts. However, no tertiary treatment is being carried out, despite explicit directions from the Central institutions, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, and even the Monitoring Committee of the National Green Tribunal.

The lack of tertiary treatment poses a serious health hazard to people consuming this water. According to Mr. Reddy, untreated sewage-mixed water is being supplied under the pretext of treated water, which could lead to chronic illnesses and waterborne diseases among rural populations.

Repeated environmental and health directives are being ignored, pointing to a systemic failure in enforcement. The cabinet must address this gap immediately, the memorandum states, to avoid irreversible damage to public health.

Krishna-Pennar River Linking Proposal

Mr. Reddy also sought clarity from the Karnataka government regarding the recommendation from the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) on the linking of Krishna and Pennar rivers. This proposal, if executed, could allow Krishna water to be drawn to these drought-prone districts, providing a more sustainable and geographically feasible alternative to water relief than the Yettinahole project.

The river linking is a part of the larger national interlinking of rivers programme, but Karnataka’s position on it has remained ambiguous. With a potential to supply a steady and higher volume of water, the Krishna-Pennar link could prove to be a game-changer for these districts.

Experts and civil society groups have long supported the interlinking model, especially for arid regions, as it could address both drinking water and agricultural irrigation needs.

Political and Administrative Significance

The June 19 cabinet meeting is expected to discuss major infrastructural and developmental issues, and Mr. Reddy's request comes with the hope that long-pending rural water issues finally receive the political attention they deserve. Holding the meeting in Chikkaballapur itself is symbolic, and Mr. Reddy stressed that it must be translated into actionable decisions.

He also highlighted the lack of policy clarity, administrative follow-through, and budgetary allocations for the parched districts. With upcoming local body elections and growing public unrest in water-scarce villages, addressing this issue could also have political repercussions for the ruling government.

Conclusion

The Shaashwatha Neeravari Horata Samithi has sounded the alarm for the government to prioritise public health, environmental safety and water equity. As the Karnataka Cabinet convenes on June 19, this memorandum is not just a request—it is a wake-up call.

For the millions living in Kolar, Chikkaballapur and Bengaluru Rural, clean drinking water is not a luxury but a basic right. If left unaddressed, continued inaction may soon turn this crisis into a catastrophe.

The ball is now in the state government's court, and the people are watching.

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