Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to crucial irrigation projects in the State, including the third phase of the Krishna Upper Canal and the ongoing efforts to resolve issues surrounding the Tungabhadra reservoir.
“Water being wasted due to silt accumulation in the Tungabhadra reservoir will be used appropriately, and the government will take necessary action for its utilisation. For this, the government is considering constructing the Navali parallel reservoir and a pump-based water usage alternative plan,” said the Deputy CM during the Q&A session in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
Due to silt accumulation in the Tungabhadra reservoir, around 25 to 30 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water is wasted without reaching the State. The balanced reservoir requires about 15,000 acres of land. “We already prepared the technical reports and the detailed project report (DPR) and sent them to the Tungabhadra Board and the governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Bose Raju, Minister Somanna, and I met with the Union Jal Shakti Minister to discuss this,” he added.
“Previous governments also took steps to remove the silt, but the issue remains — where to dispose of the silt that holds up to 30 TMC of water,” he mentioned.
DK Shivakumar, also the Minister for Water Resources, said the officials proposed an alternative plan instead of constructing a balanced reservoir.
“We are considering pumping water from our share for usage, which will benefit three States. Of the total, 65 per cent will be beneficial to us, and 35 per cent will benefit the other States. We will submit the proposal for the balanced reservoir and other new plans to the Centre. We are committed to conserving our share of water,” he said.
Speaking about the Pennar river, he said that the Union Minister for Jal Shakti called Karnataka and Tamil Nadu representatives on March 18 to discuss the Navali reservoir construction and alternative solutions with the central minister.
The Deputy CM said he already discussed this matter with the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana regarding this matter. Following a subsequent discussion with the two States, the Tungabhadra Board will submit a report on these plans, he said.
When Legislative Council members PH Poojari and Hanumant Nirani raised questions regarding the heightening of the Almatti dam and the implementation of the third phase of the Krishna Upper Canal project, he responded that a request for the latter was submitted to the Central Government.
“BJP members should go to Delhi, apply pressure on the Central Government, and if they issue a notification for the project, we can all work together to complete it,” DK Shivakumar said.
Alongside, the State government is planning to increase the height of the Almatti reservoir from 519.60 meters to 524.26 meters, resulting in approximately 1,36,000 acres of land being submerged.
“The affected people are asking for compensation immediately. I had a different opinion, but the Chief Minister held a meeting and made a different decision. The Central government has also informed the work should be carried out in two phases and is considering this issue seriously. It will not happen all at once but be completed in phases,” he said.
6,000 acres of land were allocated for rehabilitation, and 3,400 acres were provided to the affected people. The canal’s construction requires 51,000 acres of land, of which 22,000 acres have been acquired. For submergence, 75,000 acres of land have been acquired, with 2,504 acres under process.
