Upper Bhadra Project Phase-1 to Complete by Year-End, Says Karnataka Minister

Major and Medium Irrigation Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy has announced that the first phase of the Upper Bhadra Project will be completed by November or December 2026, after which water will be supplied to the districts of Davangere, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, and Chikkamagaluru in Karnataka.

Responding to a question raised by Congress member Balkis Banu in the Legislative Council on Friday, the minister detailed the project's progress and the challenges faced during its implementation. He stated that 17.04 tmcft (thousand million cubic feet) of water needs to be lifted from the Tunga river to the Bhadra reservoir, with an expenditure of ₹324 crore incurred for this purpose.

“During the implementation of this project, there was a delay in obtaining permissions and other statutory approvals related to land acquisition, forest clearance, and power transmission lines. All these have now been rectified,” the minister said.

The Upper Bhadra Project is a major irrigation scheme aimed at addressing water scarcity in the central and southern parts of Karnataka. These regions, particularly Chitradurga and Tumakuru, are prone to drought and depend heavily on monsoon rains for both drinking water and agriculture. The project is designed to lift surplus water from the Tunga river, a tributary of the Tungabhadra, and store it in the Bhadra reservoir to ensure a more reliable supply throughout the year.

Citing various works currently under progress, Chaluvarayaswamy said, “All these works will be completed by the end of November, and water will be released by the end of December.” He expressed confidence that the completion of Phase-1 would bring significant relief to the region.

The minister also highlighted the administrative steps taken to accelerate the project. He noted that the earlier delays were primarily due to statutory requirements, which are mandatory for any major infrastructure project of this scale. With these approvals now in place, the implementing agency has been directed to expedite work to meet the revised timeline.

The Upper Bhadra Project is expected to benefit thousands of farmers and residents across the four districts. Once fully operational, it will provide irrigation water for crops and improve drinking water availability in these drought-prone areas. The project is also seen as a critical step towards water security in Karnataka, given the erratic rainfall patterns in recent years.

While the timeline for Phase-1 has been set for the end of 2026, the minister assured the Legislative Council that all technical and administrative hurdles have been addressed. He did not specify whether the subsequent phases of the project would follow a similar schedule, but officials indicated that planning for these phases is already underway.

The announcement comes at a time when the state government is focusing on completing pending irrigation projects to boost rural infrastructure and support agriculture. The Upper Bhadra Project, in particular, has been a long-pending demand of local legislators and farmers' groups, who have stressed the need for a reliable water source in the region.

Observers note that timely completion of the project could have a positive impact on the electoral prospects of the ruling party in the region, but the immediate focus remains on delivering a much-needed resource to the people. The minister's statement provides a clear timeline, and stakeholders will be watching closely to see if the deadlines are met.

The project's success will depend on sustained coordination between various government departments, including irrigation, forest, and power, as well as on-site work progressing without further delays. With the necessary approvals now in place, the administration has committed to completing the remaining work within the stipulated time frame.