Karnataka urges Center to grant timely clearance for pending irrigation and drinking water projects, including revised DPR Mekedat

A panoramic view of the Kaveri River (Cauvery River) flowing through a deep and narrow gorge at Mekedat, near Kanakapura, in Bengaluru South district, Karnataka. | Photo credit: file photo

Karnataka again urged the Center to give immediate clearance to various ongoing irrigation and drinking water projects, including the Mekedatu buffer tank project.

The fresh demand was made by a high-level delegation led by Karnataka Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy at the Union Ministry’s Jal Shakti Ministerial Summit-2026 in Delhi on Tuesday.

Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy apprised the central authorities about the status of ongoing projects like Mekedatu, UKP, Kalasa-Banduri and Upper Bhadra, besides explaining their importance to the state, according to the report.

The Minister strongly demanded immediate clearance for the Revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the Mekedatu Reservoir Project, which is crucial for ensuring water security of Bengaluru city and Mandya, Bengaluru South and Chamarajanagara districts besides ensuring regulated discharge to Tamil Nadu during years of emergency. He demanded that the Central Water Commission immediately clear the revised DPR, the report said.

He also urged the Center to immediately issue a notification on the final order of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal II for utilization of the state’s share of 130 tmcft of water allotted under the third phase of the Upper Krishna project.

He further urged the Center to ensure immediate clearing of forests and habitat for the Kalasa and Banduri diversion projects planned in the Mahadayi basin to provide drinking water to the Hubballi-Dharawad Corporation areas.

His other demand included the release of ₹5,300 crore that was announced earlier in the Union Budget for the Upper Krishna project, besides the approval of the revised estimates for the project by the Board of Public Investment.

Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy, who attended the summit along with RDPR Minister Eshwar Khandra, held preliminary discussions with Union Jal Shakti CR Minister Patil on issues related to major irrigation projects in Karnataka.

The state delegation gave a comprehensive picture of major state irrigation schemes, reform initiatives and inter-state water disputes.

Earlier, Mr. Patil held a brainstorming session with Ministers of Water Resources and Public Health Engineering, Secretaries and policy makers on the current challenges facing the country’s water sector and future strategies.

Various issues including the need to build modern water management infrastructure, water conservation, rainwater harvesting, sustainability of drinking water sources, modernization of rural water supply networks and cooperation in interstate water management.

Published – 02 Sep 2026 0:21 IST