Every summer, Belagavi faces the same question: Will there be enough drinking water? As Rakaskop reservoir levels fall and the city depends increasingly on Hidkal reservoir, water supply is often reduced to once every few days. A proposal to divert water from Maharashtra’s Tilari reservoir into the Markandeya River has once again gained attention as a possible long-term solution.
What is the proposal?
The idea is to divert surplus water and hydropower discharge from the Tilari reservoir in Maharashtra into the Markandeya River, which eventually feeds the Rakaskop reservoir, Belagavi’s primary drinking water source.
Supporters say this could provide additional water during the critical May to July period, when Rakaskop usually reaches dangerously low levels. The proposal has been taken up by local farmer groups, former corporators, and Belagavi MP Jagadish Shettar, who has sought Maharashtra’s cooperation.
- Diverting Surplus Water: Excess water from the Tilari reservoir would be released into the upper bed of the Markandeya River.
- Natural Flow: Gravity would carry the water downstream along the Markandeya River straight into the Rakaskop reservoir.
- Year-Round Supply: Replenishing Rakaskop right before the monsoon fully sets in would keep Belagavi’s water treatment plants working without summer interruptions.
Why is Belagavi looking for another water source?
Belagavi requires around 130–135 million litres of water every day.
Currently:
- Rakaskop supplies around 45–50 MLD
- Hidkal supplies about 82 MLD
During summer, both reservoirs come under stress due to high demand, evaporation and reduced inflows, leading to water rationing across the city.
How would it work?
The proposal suggests allowing surplus Tilari water to flow into the upper reaches of the Markandeya River so that it reaches Rakaskop naturally through gravity.
Another option under discussion is constructing additional storage structures near Maharashtra’s Dhamne area, with a proposal to capture about 6 TMC of water and share it equally between Maharashtra and Karnataka.
What are the expected benefits?
If implemented successfully, the project could:
- Improve Belagavi’s drinking water availability during summer.
- Reduce dependence on emergency pumping from Hidkal.
- Recharge groundwater and wells along the Markandeya River.
- Benefit farmers in villages near the river by improving irrigation and groundwater levels.
What are the challenges?
While the idea appears attractive, the report identifies several major hurdles.
Interstate water sharing
Tilari is not solely Maharashtra’s project. It is a joint Maharashtra-Goa project, with Goa holding rights to nearly 80% of the stored water under an existing agreement. Any diversion to Karnataka would require agreement from all three states and approvals from central agencies.
Environmental concerns
The proposed diversion area lies within the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats and near important tiger corridors. New dams or canals could require forest clearances and environmental approvals.
Rakaskop has lost around 18% of its storage capacity due to siltation. Even if additional water reaches the reservoir, its reduced storage limits how much can be retained.
Similarly, the Markandeya River has become heavily silted and narrowed in many places. Without completing desilting and river restoration, large volumes of diverted water could overflow or be lost before reaching Rakaskop.
The project is technically possible only if several conditions are met:
- A formal water-sharing agreement involving Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa.
- Desilting of Rakaskop reservoir.
- Completion of the ongoing Markandeya River rejuvenation works.
- Environmental impact assessments and statutory approvals.
- Preference for using existing seasonal surplus and hydropower discharge instead of building large new dams.
The Tilari–Rakaskop proposal has the potential to improve Belagavi’s long-term drinking water security, but it is not a quick fix. Before a single litre can reach Rakaskop, the project would require interstate political consensus, central government approvals, environmental clearances, and significant improvements to the Markandeya River and Rakaskop reservoir.
For Belagavi’s citizens, the proposal represents a promising long-term possibility—but one that will depend as much on cooperation and planning as on engineering.
FAQ’s
What is the Tilari–Rakaskop Water Link?
It is a proposed project to divert surplus seasonal water from the Tilari reservoir in Maharashtra to the Rakaskop reservoir via the Markandeya River to improve Belagavi’s drinking water supply.
Why does Belagavi need this project?
Belagavi experiences recurring summer water shortages as Rakaskop reservoir levels fall before the monsoon, forcing water rationing.
Will the project provide water throughout the year?
The proposal mainly focuses on diverting surplus water available during the May–July period to improve storage before the monsoon.
What are the biggest challenges?
The project requires approvals from Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa, environmental clearances, desilting of Rakaskop reservoir, and restoration of the Markandeya River.
Has the project been approved?
No. It remains a proposal and would require technical studies, interstate agreements, and statutory clearances before implementation.