Thu Apr 03 14:19:14 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Seeks Central Approval for Major Irrigation Projects

**Bengaluru, April 3, 2025** – A Karnataka delegation, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and including Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna, met with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi on Thursday. The delegation urged the Minister to expedite approvals for five crucial pending irrigation projects.

The primary focus was securing clearances for the Mekedatu drinking water project, which aims to provide water to Bengaluru and generate hydropower. The delegation also pushed for the release of a gazette notification on Krishna water sharing, stalled due to legal challenges from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. This delay prevents irrigation of over three lakh hectares of land in the Kalyana Karnataka region. The Chief Minister requested intervention to resolve the Supreme Court case delaying the notification.

Other projects seeking approval include the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project for Hubballi-Dharwad’s drinking water needs, and the Upper Bhadra project, for which Karnataka requested ₹5,300 crore under the PMKSY-AIBP scheme. The delegation also sought Karnataka’s “rightful share” in the Godavari-Cauvery link project. The delegation presented a memorandum detailing these requests and emphasized the urgency of these projects for the state’s water security.

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