Karnataka Budget | CM Siddaramaiah awaits central clearance, funds for irrigation projects

Hubballi: With the Union government not releasing its 2023-24 budget promise of Rs 5,300 crore for the implementation of the Upper Bhadra project, the state government has decided to allocate its own funds to complete a portion of the project. The state government has announced to allocate Rs 2,611 crore for the completion of the Chitradurga Branch Canal.

The irrigation sector, which helps in improving the food security and financial upliftment of farmers, received 5 per cent of the total budget outlay in the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s record 16th budget report on Friday. Both minor and major irrigation projects received an overall allocation of Rs 22,181 crore of which the major irrigation department would receive Rs 18,826 crore and minor irrigation department Rs 3,344 crore.

The chief minister has not made any new announcement of irrigation projects. Moreover, he has put the ball in the Union government’s court to get environmental clearance for implementing Almatti, Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir, and Mahadayi projects and allocation of additional funds for implementation of projects in Krishna valley under the PMKSY-AIBP Scheme, which will focus on the modernisation of ongoing irrigation projects.

Siddaramaiah has claimed that in the current year, water from all the eight weirs will be lifted and supplied to the 241 km chainage under the Yettinahole integrated drinking water scheme. Currently, water is being supplied till 32.5 km chainage.

The chief minister also said that efforts will be made to carry out land acquisition of the submerged areas for the Almatti dam following an increase in the height of the dam to 524.25 mt under the Upper Krishna Phase-3 scheme. This could increase irrigation facilities to 2.01 lakh acres of agricultural land, he said.

Siddaramaiah said his government would complete the pending works in Krishna and Kaveri river basin.

Regarding the overcoming of silt accumulation in Tungabhadra reservoir, the chief minister said his government will hold discussion with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states regarding construction of Navali balancing reservoir and other alternative solutions.

Following the breaching of a crest gate at TB Dam last year, the State government has decided to conduct technical verification of the structural stability of the gates of major dams and if needed the gates will be repaired or replaced.

Highlights

• Tumakuru dist to get Rs 553 crore for filling 45 lakes in Madhugiri taluk and 62 lakes in Koratagere taluk through Yettinahole project for improving underground water table.

• Rs 1,080 crore for filling 70 tanks under under Vrushabhavati valley stage -1

• Rs 70 crore for 24 tank filling under H.N. valley stage -2

• Rs 93.50 crore for filling 18 tanks in Bengaluru east taluk.

• Minor irrigation department to get Rs 2,000 crore for modernization, rejuvenation and repair works of water bodies under its jurisdiction.