Karnataka urges Centre to give early clearance for pending irrigation and drinking water projects including revised DPR of Mekedatu

A panoramic view of River Kaveri (Cauvery river), flowing through a deep and narrow gorge at Mekedatu, near Kanakapura, in Bengaluru South district, Karnataka. | Photo Credit: file photo Karnataka has again urged the Centre to provide immediate clearance to various pending irrigation and drinking water projects, including the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project.The fresh demand was made by a high-level delegation led by Karnataka Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy at the Departmental Summit – 2026 of the Union Jal Shakti Ministry in Delhi on Tuesday.Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy drew the attention of the Central authorities on the status of pending projects like Mekedatu, UKP, Kalasa-Banduri and Upper Bhadra, besides explaining their importance for the State, according to a release.The Minister made a strong demand for providing immediate clearance to the revised detailed project report (DPR) regarding the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, which is crucial for ensuring water security of Bengaluru city and the districts of Mandya, Bengaluru South and Chamarajanagara, besides ensuring regulated releases to Tamil Nadu during the distress years. He demanded that the Central Water Commission immediately clear the revised DPR, the release stated.He also urged the Centre to immediately issue a gazette notification on the final order of Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II for making use of the State’s share of 130 tmcft of water that has been allotted under the Upper Krishna Project’s third phase.He further urged the Centre to immediately provide forest and environmental clearance to the Kalasa and Banduri diversion projects that have been planned in Mahadayi basin to provide drinking water to Hubballi-Dharawad Corporation areas.His other demand included release of ₹5,300 crore that had been announced earlier in the Union Budget for the Upper Krishna Project in addition to the endorsement by Public Investment Board for the revised estimates for this project.Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy, who participated in the summit along with RDPR Minister Eshwar Khandre, held preliminary discussions with Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil on issues related to prominent irrigation projects of Karnataka.The State delegation placed a comprehensive picture about the State’s prominent 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 besides secretaries and policy makers on the current challenges before the country’s water sector and future strategies.Various issues including the need for building modern water infrastructure, water conservation, rainwater harvesting, sustaibality of drinking water resources, modernisation of rural water supply network and co-operation in interstate water management. Published - September 02, 2026 12:21 am IST