Almatti dam: 136 villages now go under

The process started in 1996 when the water level went up to 509 metres, submerging six villages fully and 10 others partially. In 1997, as the level increased to 514 metres, 145 families of Bagalkot were shifted to the Navanagar township. In 2000, when the reservoir level touched the 515.2-metre mark, 400 more families had to be moved out. Now, the stored water level is 519.6 metres and 89,488 people spread across 136 villages have to be relocated.

Recently, Chief Minister S.M. Krishna announced a rehabilitation package of Rs 638 crore. This has silenced protests from groups demanding immediate shifting of all affected people.

So far, around 5,000 families have been hit by the rising water level. They are just a few of the victims of the Upper Krishna Project (UKP), which after completion is expected to irrigate 25 lakh hectares of land in arid North Karnataka and generate 1,200 MW power. In the process, it will displace over 20 lakh people. Apart from flooding Bagalkot, the UKP will submerge 176 villages.

Neighbourhoods such as Killa, Halepete, Bajanrtigalli are under threat. As a result, tannery workers and porters in Jainpeth are out of work. ‘‘Business has collapsed,’’ said a businessman. Other casualties include ancient temples and vulnerable mutts. For 70-year-old Yamanappa Hosamani, the loss is irreparable. ‘‘This is where my father was born. This is where he died,’’ he sighed.

Meanwhile, in the temporary shelters at Navanagar, the rehabilitated villagers are still struggling. ‘‘In Bagalkot, we lived in big houses with modern amenities. Here we have nothing,’’ said Ramsigh Rajput, who now lives in a shed.

Although Navanagar has been modelled along the lines of Chandigarh, the infrastructure is not complete. There’s no electricity or water supply. With the place not having enough houses to accommodate new inhabitants, real estate prices have shot up. This has deflected some of the demand to Guledagudda and Mudhol.