Karnataka   

Work on Upper Bhadra Project likely soon

Chitradurga: Work on the Upper Bhadra Project, a major irrigation and drinking water project in Chitradurga district, is likely to commence within two months.

The tender process for the first two phases of the project is in its final stage. Phase I and II are also waiting for an approval from the techno-economic feasibility committee. While phases I and II entail lifting water from the Tunga river to the Bhadra river, phase III involves construction of canals. Approval for phase III has been given, but the work will begin only after the first two phases are cleared. The officials hope to get the approval soon.

The project aims at addressing irrigation and drinking water needs of Chitradurga, Tumkur, Kolar and Chikmagalur districts. After a prolonged struggle by several organisations, the erstwhile coalition Government in January 2007 took a decision to set up an office here for the implementation of the project.

The project is estimated to cost Rs. 6,000 crore. It was suggested in 1976 by the Bachawat Commission which was set up by the Union Government to resolve the issues of water sharing among the States of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

For several years, the project was kept in abeyance. During the tenure of N. Dharam Singh as the Chief Minister, a commission headed by irrigation expert K.C. Reddy was set up which recommended the implementation of the project. Apart from Chitradurga, Chikmagalur, Kolar and Tumkur districts will benefit from the project.

The H.D. Kumaraswamy-led Government gave a nod to the implementation of the project through Karnataka Neeravari Nigam. Under scheme ‘A’ of the project, 21.5 tmcft water will be used to irrigate 2,54,023 acres of land in Chitradurga district. Scheme B of the project aims at irrigating over 2 lakh acres of land in Tumkur district. Around 6 tmcft water will also be used to deal with the drinking water problem in Kolar district.

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