Deputy CM Shivakumar Announces Delhi Meeting on Upper Krishna Project Dispute
Karnataka to meet Centre on Andhra objections over Upper Krishna Project.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State President D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday announced that a meeting will be held in New Delhi with Members of Parliament from the state to discuss Andhra Pradesh’s objections to the third phase of the Upper Krishna Project (UKP) and to exert pressure on the Central government. The meeting is scheduled for March 17 at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi.
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar, who also holds the Water Resources portfolio, said the state would firmly challenge Andhra Pradesh’s stance, which includes objections to the project’s implementation and the land acquisition process. He also alleged that Andhra Pradesh has not cooperated in efforts to prevent water wastage from the Tungabhadra dam.
“The Andhra Pradesh government had written to the Centre objecting to the UKP and its land acquisition process. Following this, the Central government has sought clarification from Karnataka,” Shivakumar said. He added that the project is being implemented in line with the tribunal’s order to ensure Karnataka utilises its rightful share of water, with works worth approximately Rs 26,000 crore already underway.
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Shivakumar clarified that Karnataka has no immediate plans to raise the Almatti dam’s height beyond its current level. “We are only preparing to utilise our allocated share of water as per the 2010 tribunal order. However, Andhra Pradesh has raised objections even to this,” he stated. He further noted that nearly 30 TMC of water meant for Karnataka is being wasted from the Tungabhadra dam due to Andhra Pradesh’s lack of cooperation in finding alternatives.
The Deputy Chief Minister said he would travel to New Delhi on Tuesday with Ministers H.K. Patil, M.B. Patil, and Boseraju to discuss the matter with Karnataka MPs and press the Centre on the issue.
The UKP-III project is a major irrigation initiative aimed at raising the Almatti dam from 519.6 metres to 524.256 metres. With an estimated cost ranging from Rs 70,000 crore to over Rs 1.22 lakh crore, the project plans to utilise 130.90 TMC of water to irrigate nearly six lakh hectares in northern Karnataka.
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