Karnataka's Irrigation Projects in Crisis Due to Government Inaction

Successive Governments Failed to Expedite Irrigation Projects in Karnataka's Cauvery and Krishna Basins, Says Senior Advocate

Belagavi: Successive governments in Karnataka have failed to accelerate work on pending irrigation projects in the Krishna and Cauvery basins, according to Mohan Kataraki, a senior advocate in the Supreme Court. Speaking at a discussion with leaders of Kannada organisations in Belagavi, Kataraki emphasized the urgent need for the State Government to release funds and expedite these projects. He warned that delays could be perceived by other riparian states as a forfeiture of Karnataka's rights over its allotted share of water.

Highlighting the allocations made by courts and tribunals, Kataraki noted that approximately 170 tmcft of water has been allotted for the Krishna basin and an additional 50-60 tmcft for the Cauvery basin projects. However, Karnataka has struggled to utilize these allocations due to inadequate project planning and investment. He estimated that completing the Upper Krishna Project and Cauvery basin projects would require around ₹1 lakh crore each.

Despite the scale of these projects, successive governments have failed to allocate sufficient funds. Kataraki pointed out that the annual irrigation department budget remains between ₹20,000 crore and ₹30,000 crore, while the overall state budget is approximately ₹4 lakh crore. He argued that Karnataka needs to double its investment in major irrigation projects over the next few years to address this shortfall.

Kataraki also stressed the importance of balancing drinking water needs in northern Karnataka with environmental conservation. He stated that environmental concerns must not be overlooked while designing projects aimed at providing water for agriculture and human consumption.

Addressing the stalled Mahadayi basin projects, Kataraki attributed delays to Karnataka's inability to secure environmental clearances from central agencies and ministries. He criticized an order issued by the Chief Wildlife Warden of Goa, which directed Karnataka not to divert water reaching wildlife sanctuaries in Goa, calling the order "patently illegal" due to jurisdictional overreach. He noted that this order has hindered progress on the Mahadayi projects.

Kataraki advocated for dialogue between opposing perspectives on the Mahadayi issue, which pits environmental concerns against irrigation and drinking water needs. He also referenced opposition to the Harangi dam in Kodagu district, where an informal agreement was reached between local residents and the state government to halt further dam construction in the region.

Published: June 18, 2026, 12:22 PM IST