BELAGAVI
People of Belagavi have now turned to Tillari River to suffice their drinking water needs. A meeting will be held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Belagavi next week to discuss the proposal to divert excess water from the Tillari River to Belagavi city through the Rakaskop reservoir.
District in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi has assured a delegation of former corporators that the issue will be taken up at the meeting.
A delegation comprising former mayor Shivaji Sunthkar and former corporators met Jarkiholi on Tuesday and held detailed discussions on the proposed Tillari water project.
The delegation apprised the minister of the efforts made by the association so far to pursue the proposal with Government of Maharashtra. It pointed out that bringing excess Tillari water to Belagavi through the Rakaskop reservoir could significantly help address the city’s recurring water shortage.
“We briefed the minister in detail about the follow-up undertaken by the Former Corporators’ Association and the proposal to divert excess Tillari water to Belagavi. He heard us and assured us that a meeting would be convened at the Deputy Commissioner’s office next week. He also assured us that the Karnataka government would extend the necessary cooperation,” former mayor Shivaji Sunthkar told media persons.
The association has been pursuing the proposal with authorities for some time.
Last week, its office-bearers had met Belagavi MP Jagadish Shettar and discussed the issue. Following the meeting, Shettar wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to take positive steps towards the proposal to divert excess Tillari water to Belagavi.
The proposed diversion is being viewed as an important long-term measure to strengthen Belagavi’s water supply system. If the excess water from the Tillari River can be brought to the city through the Rakaskop reservoir, it could provide substantial support to Belagavi’s drinking water requirements, particularly during periods of water scarcity. With the district-level meeting scheduled to be held next week, the proposal has once again gained attention among residents and civic representatives, who are hopeful that the discussions will lead to concrete action on the long-pending demand.
