5.3 lakh more hectares can now be irrigated

Karnataka had argued before the Tribunal that it should be given 278 tmcft of surplus water to enable it to implement its proposed projects under scheme ‘B’ . It had argued that it required the surplus water for Upper Krishna projects (130.0 tmcft); small irrigation (84.285); drinking water projects (8.950); industry (2.230) and other projects (84.285).
However, the Tribunal has awarded only 177 tmcft to the State. It has also allowed the storage of 130 tmcft of water in the reservoir. The award will not affect adversely any of the Almatti Dam backwaters projects.

Currently, the Almatti dam is 519.6 metres high and it stores 123 tmcft of water. The Almatti, Narayanapur and Hippargi reservoirs together store 17 tmcft under scheme ‘A’.
Under scheme ‘B’, the tribunal has allowed for utilisation of 130 tmcft. With the height of Almatti Dam set to go up to 524.256 metres, an additional 100 tmcft of water can be stored. A further 30 tmcft can be utilised through reuse and during inflow.

Projects proposed under Scheme ‘B’:
*  Mulwad Lift Irrigation Project phase III: Water utilisation - 54.5 tmcft; Command area -2.3 lakh hectares.
*  Chimmalagi Lift Irrigation Project: Water utilisation - 21 tmcft; Command area - 87,000 hectares
*  Mallabad Lift Irrigation Project: Water Utilisation - 8 tmcft; Command area - 33,730 hectares.
*  Indi (Gutti Basavanna) Lift irrigation Project: Water utilisation - 5 tmcft; Command area - 20,690 hectares
*  Rampur Lift irrigation Project: Water Utilisation - 3.5 tmcft; Command Area - 14,000 hectares
*  Narayanapur Right Bank Canal: Water utilisation - 19 tmcft; Command area - 62,000 hectares
*  Bheema Lift Irrigation
Water Utilisation - 5.2 tmcft
Command area - 21,500 hectares
*  Herakal Lift Irrigation: Water utilisation - 3 tmcft; Command area - 15,400
hectares
*  Koppal Lift irrigation: Water utilisation - 5 tmcft; Command area - 48,436 hectares
*Total utilisation of water: 130 tmcft
*  Additional area to be irrigation: 5.3 lakh hectares