Karnataka presses Centre for early nod to Mekedatu, other water schemes
Karnataka urged the Centre to clear pending irrigation projects, including the revised DPR for Mekedatu, at a Jal Shakti Ministry summit.
A high-level Karnataka delegation, led by Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy, has renewed the state's demand for swift central approval of several pending irrigation and drinking water projects. The request was made during the Departmental Summit – 2026 of the Union Jal Shakti Ministry in Delhi on Tuesday.
The minister highlighted the status of key projects, including Mekedatu, the Upper Krishna Project (UKP), Kalasa-Banduri, and Upper Bhadra, and stressed their significance for the state. A strong plea was made for immediate clearance of the revised detailed project report (DPR) for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir. The project is seen as vital for securing water for Bengaluru city and the districts of Mandya, Bengaluru South, and Chamarajanagara, and for ensuring regulated releases to Tamil Nadu during distress years. The minister called on the Central Water Commission to clear the revised DPR without delay.
Karnataka also urged the Centre to issue a gazette notification on the final order of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II, which would allow the state to utilise its allocated share of 130 tmcft of water under the third phase of the Upper Krishna Project. Additionally, the delegation sought forest and environmental clearances for the Kalasa and Banduri diversion projects in the Mahadayi basin, intended to supply drinking water to the Hubballi-Dharawad Corporation areas.
The state further demanded the release of ₹5,300 crore, previously announced in the Union Budget for the Upper Krishna Project, and sought endorsement from the Public Investment Board for the project's revised estimates.
Cheluvarayaswamy, accompanied by Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre, held preliminary discussions with Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil. The delegation presented a comprehensive overview of the state's major irrigation schemes, reform initiatives, and ongoing inter-state water disputes.
The summit also included a brainstorming session chaired by Patil with ministers and officials from various states, focusing on challenges in the water sector, modern infrastructure needs, water conservation, rainwater harvesting, sustainability of drinking water sources, and modernisation of rural water supply networks.