Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar meeting Union Minister for Forests and Environment Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi on Tuesday. Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta was present.
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The Karnataka government has again petitioned the Centre regarding the approvals for three of its major water projects — Yettinahole and Kalasa-Bhanduri (drinking water projects) and Upper Bhadra (to irrigate the arid central parts of the State — and notification of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II award. A meeting of all Members of Parliament from the State is also likely to be scheduled ahead of the Monsoon session to seek their support to exert pressure on the Centre on the issues.
Roadblocks for projects
While the Yettinahole project in the Western Ghats of Hassan district has hit a roadblock over forestland acquisition, the Kalasa-Bhanduri project has been opposed by the neighbouring Goa. Karnataka has also been seeking funds to complete the Upper Bhadra project, and the Centre is yet to notify the Krishna tribunal-II award that could help irrigate large tracts of land in north Karnataka.
“We briefed Union Minister for Environment Bhupendra Yadav on the technical difficulties in the Yettinahole project and our plan to provide revenue land in lieu of forestland. We have replied to the objections raised by the Environment Ministry regarding forestland acquisition. He has promised us on clearance of obstacles for the project,” the Deputy Chief Minister told presspersons in Delhi.
Forestland issue
Asked about the objections to the use of 423 acres of forestland, he said, “We have provided alternative revenue land by paying compensation to farmers who had been using the forestland for 40 to 50 years. The Forest Department has raised objections to this, stating that the land belongs to it. More than half the work has been completed at the site. The Forest Department has raised objections to the dumping of soil in forestland, and we have agreed to remove it. We have already spent ₹24,000 crore on the project.”
After meeting Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, the Deputy Chief Minister said the Kalasa-Bhanduri project was discussed. Goa does not have the right to object to the project, he said. “We have called for a tender for this project after the court ruling. The Centre has to take a stern stand on the objections and allow construction. We will explore a legal response after consulting Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. The Centre has been urged to gazette the notification on the Krishna tribunal award.”
Money not released
Regarding the Upper Bhadra project, Mr. Shivakumar said though the Centre allocated ₹5,300 crore in the Union Budget of 2023-2024, the money has not been released yet. “We appealed to the Minister to issue instructions to release the funds under the PMKSY-AIBP scheme.” The ₹21,473-crore Upper Bhadra project, once completed, will irrigate 2.25 lakh hectares in Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, and Davangere districts, he added.
Published – July 08, 2025 08:21 pm IST
