Bengaluru, March 6 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah affirmed that the state government would continue with key irrigation and drinking water projects, including the long-standing Mekedatu balancing reservoir scheme, which is opposed by Tamil Nadu, while also pursuing approvals and resolving disputes with neighboring states over river water sharing.
Presenting the budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 in the Assembly, Siddaramaiah highlighted several initiatives aimed at strengthening irrigation infrastructure, addressing water shortages, and expanding drinking water supply across different river basins in the state.
"The dismissal of the petitions filed by the State of Tamil Nadu in the Supreme Court regarding the Mekedatu scheme is a significant legal victory for our state," he stated about the neighboring state's objection to the project, which involves utilizing the Cauvery river.
In light of this judgment, a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) along with a proposal for forest clearance will be submitted to the Government of India shortly, Siddaramaiah said.
The Mekedatu project has been a contentious issue between Karnataka and neighboring Tamil Nadu, which has repeatedly opposed the project citing concerns about downstream water availability in the inter-state river.
The CM also referred to the progress made under the Yettinahole Comprehensive Drinking Water Project (YCDWP).
"The first phase of lift irrigation works of the YCDWP has been successfully commissioned," he said, adding that the remaining 18.73 km canal works in the second phase will be completed shortly.
"To impound excess water, a balancing reservoir of 1.2 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) capacity will be constructed near Vaderahalli in Koratagere taluk," Siddaramaiah said.
He also announced progress in the Upper Bhadra Project after resolving a long-standing land dispute.
Consequently, the 135-km long Chitradurga branch canal and associated feeder works will be completed by 2027, enabling the filling of 157 tanks in the region.
The chief minister noted that despite the project's national importance, the Centre has not released funds.
"Although no funds have been released by the Central Government, Rs 11,343 crore has been incurred by the state government for this project," he said.
Siddaramaiah also announced compensation measures related to the raising of the Almatti dam height under the Upper Krishna Project (UKP).
Under the revised compensation package, the government has fixed Rs 30 lakh per acre for dry land and Rs 40 lakh per acre for wet land.
The replacement of 33 dilapidated gates of the Tungabhadra Dam with new gates will be completed before the onset of the monsoon.
To address the reduction in storage capacity caused by silt accumulation, the government is exploring alternative measures.
"Alternative measures, including the construction of a balancing reservoir near Navali in Koppal district, are already under consideration," he said.
Siddaramaiah said the state would intensify efforts to implement an alternative scheme in consultation with neighboring Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with the concurrence of the Tungabhadra Board.
He criticized the Centre for the "delays" in approvals for the Kalasa-Bandura project under the Mahadayi basin.
He alleged that the requisite forest clearance has not yet been received from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the National Board for Wildlife.
Announcing new schemes, Siddaramaiah said the Uduthore Halla project would be implemented in Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district at a cost of Rs 490 crore, which would provide drinking water and irrigate 12,000 acres of affected command area.
In-principle approval would be granted for the construction of a 0.67 TMC impounding reservoir at Babanagar in Vijayapura under the Tubachi-Babaleshwara scheme.
In a broader push to expand irrigation coverage, he said priority would be given to completing several ongoing projects.
Overall, the government plans to undertake 75 irrigation works worth Rs 8,045 crore across major river basins, including the Krishna, Cauvery, and Godavari.
The government will also focus on improving water-use efficiency through modern irrigation systems by adopting a Pressurized Piped Network system of irrigation in 4,745 hectares of command area under the Hattikuni and Tungabhadra Left Bank Branch Canal, Siddaramaiah said.
In the minor irrigation sector, the chief minister announced several tank-filling and rejuvenation projects, including the third phase of the Hebbala-Nagawara Valley project, which will fill 164 tanks at an estimated cost of Rs 237 crore.
Siddaramaiah also said the state government has approved 112 works, including lift irrigation projects, check dams, and tank rejuvenation schemes, at a cost of Rs 1,793 crore for 2025-26.