Vijayapura: The Krishna river basin has received heavy rainfall in Maharashtra and Karnataka since July, with coordinated efforts by government departments helping prevent floods and crop losses. While the Lal Bahadur Shastri reservoir at Almatti has remained nearly full for almost a month, many in the region believe the traditional offering of bagina to the Krishna river has been overlooked amid ongoing political engagements. They hope chief minister DK Shivakumar will perform the ritual after the assembly session.Though Shivakumar has visited Almatti dam in the past as irrigation minister, residents are now awaiting his visit in the capacity of chief minister.Aravind Kulkarni, state general secretary of Akhanda Karnataka Raita Sangha, Vijayapura, said the issue has become an annual struggle. “We have to remind the government every year. If the Krishna Raja Sagar dam is full, the chief minister, irrespective of who holds the post, immediately offers bagina. This discrimination has continued since 2002, when then chief minister SM Krishna initiated the tradition,” he said.Kulkarni also pointed out that while the govt organises Cauvery Aarthi, it has shown little interest in conducting a similar ritual for the Krishna river.GC Muttaladinni, convener of Krishna Teera Mulugade Santrastara Kshemabhivruddhi Samsthe, Vijayapura, said the ritual should be conducted immediately as inflows into the reservoir are reducing. “Once water levels decline, bagina cannot be offered,” he said.Aravind Muchakhandi, secretary of Bagalkot Abhivruddhi Horata Samiti, said the chief minister should also convene a meeting at Almatti to review the progress of the KBJNL and the Upper Krishna Project.Sources in the Bagalkot district administration said the Hipparagi barrage, which feeds water to the Almatti reservoir, reached full capacity about 15 days ago.Officials of Krishna Bhagya Jal Nigam Limited (KBJNL) said the reservoir’s gross storage stood at 4.4 tmcft, or 74.6% of capacity, and the water level was 523.2 metres as of Sunday. They added that, in accordance with Central Water Commission and state govt guidelines, bagina is generally offered in Sept, though exceptions are made in years when substantial pre-monsoon rainfall is received.
