Bengaluru: The Ministry of Jal Shakti has introduced new conditions for releasing funds for Karnataka’s Upper Bhadra Project under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana – Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP). These conditions may delay funding for the project, which is crucial for providing irrigation and drinking water to the drought-prone Central Karnataka region.

Conditions for Funding

In a letter dated 5th September, Jal Shakti Secretary Debashree Mukherjee highlighted that the release of funds would depend on several factors, including an updated financial report for the project. The state must provide details on expenditure, the balance cost, and the central assistance required. Additionally, the letter indicated that the availability of funds and geographical distribution will influence funding decisions.

Mukherjee’s letter was in response to multiple requests from the Karnataka Water Resources Department seeking an extension of central assistance for the Upper Bhadra Project. Letters were sent by the department on 16th August 2023, 19th June 2024, and 3rd August 2024.

Federal Tensions Emerge

At a news conference on Tuesday, Karnataka’s Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, H K Patil, criticised the Union government, accusing it of reneging on its financial commitments to the state. Patil highlighted the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s 2023-24 Budget speech, in which she promised ₹5,300 crore in central assistance for the Upper Bhadra Project. The funds were intended to provide micro-irrigation and fill surface tanks for drinking water in Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, and Davanagere districts.

Patil expressed frustration, stating, “The Budgetary promise followed the recommendation of the Public Investment Board (PIB) to name the Upper Bhadra Project as a national project, yet the Centre is backtracking. This weakens the federal structure of the country.”

He further mentioned the possibility of taking legal action, saying, “I will discuss with the Chief Minister and the Cabinet on whether to move the Supreme Court.”

The Upper Bhadra Project: A Lifeline for Drought-Prone Districts

The Upper Bhadra Project, a major lift irrigation initiative, aims to irrigate 2,25,515 hectares of drought-prone land across Central Karnataka. Approved with a re-revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) amounting to ₹21,473.67 crore, the project has already incurred an expenditure of ₹9,713.28 crore to date. The administrative approval was granted in December 2020, under the BJP-led government of B S Yediyurappa.

In addition to irrigation, the project is designed to fill surface tanks, addressing the region’s chronic water shortages and supporting both agriculture and drinking water needs.

Displeasure Over Mahadayi Project Delay

Adding to the state’s frustrations, the Karnataka Cabinet recently expressed its displeasure over the National Wildlife Board’s (NWB) failure to clear the Kalasa-Banduri Nala (Mahadayi) drinking water project. This project, which aims to divert water from the Mahadayi River to meet the drinking water needs of northern Karnataka, has also faced significant delays.