Goa, May 25 -- The Karnataka government's move to divert 45 million litres per day (MLD) of water from the Hidkal Reservoir in Belagavi to the Hubballi-Dharwad industrial area has triggered widespread outrage and protests across Belagavi district. The Rs.300 crore project, led by the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB), involves laying a 150-kilometre pipeline to supply water to industrial units-raising serious concerns about drinking water shortages in Belagavi, Hukkeri, and Chikkodi, all of which depend heavily on the reservoir.

Despite earlier protests that temporarily stalled the project, construction has resumed quietly, heightening fears of water scarcity. Activists, including Sujit Mulgund and Ashok Chandaragi, hav...