Central Delays Hold Up Major Irrigation Projects Across Karnataka
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Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has expressed concern over the delay in Central approval for several major irrigation projects across the state. The Krishna Upper River Project Phase 3, a long-pending irrigation expansion plan, has been stalled since 2013 due to disputes among neighboring states. According to Shivakumar, the project, which aims to increase the storage capacity of the Almatti reservoir and bring additional farmland under assured irrigation, has been hindered by Maharashtra's obstruction of Andhra Pradesh for the second time. In a question-answer session in the state assembly, Shivakumar argued that political intervention at the national level could resolve the deadlock. He claimed that if the Centre pressures its friends in Delhi to give permission for the project, it would be completed immediately. Shivakumar has taken up the matter multiple times with Union ministers V Somanna and CR Patil, but to no avail. He has modified the land compensation framework for the Krishna project and drawn up a funding model to push land acquisition rapidly. Similar obstacles have been reported elsewhere in the state, including the Hidkal reservoir, where deteriorated canals and illegal pump sets have become a major concern. Shivakumar has proposed a ₹1,722 crore project to upgrade the canals and has sent it to the Centre for approval. He has also assured that a new law targeting illegal pump sets has been enacted, and officials are undergoing training on implementation. However, unequal usage patterns remain a persistent problem, with some areas receiving more water than others. The state government has also been working on other irrigation projects, including the Nagarbetta Lift Irrigation Project, which is expected to be completed by March 2026. Shivakumar has assured that a separate team will be assigned to accelerate the work. The development of left bank distributaries of the Hemavati has also been sluggish, but Shivakumar has assured that a ₹110 crore plan has been prepared, with funding already allocated to specific canals.
