Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar launched Phase 1 of Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Project at Hebbanahalli in Sakleshpura taluk of Hassan district on September 6, 2024. | Photo credit: File photo
The Government of India’s Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has given in-principle (Phase 1) approval for the diversion of 111.02 hectares of forest land in Hassan and Tumkur districts for the Yettinahole drinking water project to provide water to drought-prone areas in Karnataka.
In a letter dated April 1, 2026, MEFCC’s Forest Conservation Division informed the Additional Principal Secretary (Forest, Ecology and Environment), Karnataka that the Center has granted Phase 1 approval under Van (Samrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Abdhiniyam, 1980, for diversion of land through gravity canal through two canals to construct a gravity canal.
Compensatory afforestation
The MEFCC has laid down certain conditions with respect to compensatory afforestation, online transfer of net present value (NPV) of forest land to be diverted, settlement of rights with respect to scheduled tribes and traditional forest dwellers in the forest land, among others.
Visvesvaraya Jala Nigamal Limited, the project proponent, has to fulfill the conditions and get the work permit to start the canal work in the forest.
The main pumping station of the Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Project in Doddanagara. | Photo credit: File photo
A senior official said the approval cleared a major hurdle for the project. Earlier, the proposal for diversion was 173.31 hectares. However, it was revised to 111.02 hectares, increasing the estimated cost of the project by ₹425 crore. “We now have to demonstrate compliance and make the necessary payments to get permission to start work on site. The technical procedures will follow,” the official said.
About 238 km of the 252 km long canal has been completed. The remaining work will start soon as the issue of forest land has been cleared. “We are seeking cooperation from the revenue, home and forest ministries to continue the civil work,” the official said.
Where does it stand?
The first phase of the work, which includes the construction of eight weirs at various locations in Sakleshpur, has been completed. The second phase got stuck due to delays in felling the forest. As a result, the project implementing agency was forced to divert water to Vani Vilas Sagar at Hiriyur in Chitradurga district. Officials now hope to channel water to Tumakuru district by October this year.
The project was designed to alleviate the drinking water woes of nearly 75 lakh people in the drought prone areas of Kolar, Chickballapur, Ramanagara, Tumakuru, Bengaluru Rural, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan.
Published – 03 Apr 2026 11:23 IST
