Why in news?
Proposals resurfaced in September 2025 to raise the height of the Almatti Dam on the Krishna River from 519.6 metres to 524.256 metres. Supporters say the increase will expand water storage, but downstream states have raised concerns about equitable water sharing and environmental impacts.
Historical background
The Almatti Dam, officially called the Lal Bahadur Shastri Reservoir, is located in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district. It is part of the Upper Krishna Project, which also includes the Narayanpur Dam upstream. Construction began in the 1970s and the dam became operational in the early 2000s. The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal I (KWDT‑I) allocated water between Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, placing limits on storage and usage.
Why raise the height?
- Increased storage: Raising the crest by about 4.6 metres would increase the reservoir capacity from approximately 173 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) to around 300 TMC, providing more water for irrigation and power generation.
- Hydropower benefits: Higher head would enhance electricity generation from the dam’s power stations.
- Drought mitigation: A larger buffer may help Karnataka and Maharashtra cope with dry years and erratic monsoon patterns.
Concerns and disputes
- Downstream impact: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana fear that additional storage upstream could reduce flows to their regions, affecting irrigation, drinking water and the ecology of the Krishna delta.
- Submergence and displacement: Raising the dam would inundate more land, requiring resettlement of villages and compensation.
- Legal hurdles: Any change requires approval from the successor to KWDT‑I and possibly intervention by the Supreme Court.
- Environmental concerns: Larger reservoirs can lead to siltation, loss of biodiversity and altered riverine ecosystems.
The path forward
Resolving the Almatti issue will test cooperative federalism. A scientifically informed decision should balance water needs across states, ensure environmental sustainability and guarantee fair compensation. Better water use efficiency, crop diversification and watershed management might reduce the pressure to build ever larger dams.