Shivakumar seeks Centre’s push to fast-track Mekedatu, Upper Bhadra projects

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday sought the Centre’s intervention to speed up clearances and funding for key water projects, including the Rs 16,745-crore Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir and Drinking Water Project.

Shivakumar made the request in a letter handed over to Union Jal Shakti Minister CR. Patil in Delhi.

He said early decisions on pending water projects were important to meet Karnataka’s drinking water and irrigation needs and tackle drought.


Karnataka has asked the Central Water Commission (CWC) to speed up the appraisal of the detailed project report (DPR) for the Mekedatu project. The state submitted the DPR and a compliance report to the CWC on August 13, 2026.

On the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II) award, Shivakumar sought the Centre’s intervention to move and implead itself before the Supreme Court and seek early publication of the award in the Gazette.

The issue came up before the Supreme Court on September 23 and has been listed along with pending civil appeals for November 4. Early notification of the award would allow Karnataka to use its allocated water share and take up related irrigation projects, Shivakumar said.

He also sought Central assistance for the Upper Bhadra Project, whose revised cost of Rs 21,167.93 crore was examined by the Jal Shakti Ministry’s Advisory Committee on March 20, 2026.

The CM urged the Centre to recommend the project for inclusion under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and release Central assistance at the earliest, as announced in the Union Budget 2023-24. He said timely funding was needed to keep the project on track and benefit drought-prone areas of central Karnataka.

Karnataka has also submitted proposals under PMKSY and the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FBMAP) for irrigation development, modernisation and flood control. Shivakumar asked the Centre to direct the CWC to complete their appraisal and issue the required clearances.

On the Godavari-Cauvery and Bedti-Varada (Hirevadatti) link projects, Karnataka has given in-principle consent to the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) to sign the proposed agreements, subject to certain conditions.

The state has sought a review of its proposed water share and an allocation comparable to that proposed for other beneficiary states. It has also asked that Karnataka’s requirements in the Krishna and Cauvery basins be considered.

Shivakumar urged the Jal Shakti Ministry, CWC and NWDA to take up the pending issues on priority, saying the projects were important for improving irrigation and drinking water facilities in Karnataka.