Indian National Congress · Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election 2023
Last updated 18 Jun 2026
“Action will be taken to obtain necessary clearances from the Union Government: 100% of the Mahadayi water allocated to Karnataka will be utilised; all the components of Mahadayi river diversion projects shall be completed in the next 5 years with a total outlay of Rs 3000 Cr; priority will be given to drinking water, agriculture, and then to electricity generation; responsible and secure rehabilitation of project affected families; latest state-of-the-art technology for the construction of Kalasa and Banduri dams.”
Stalled. The promise was to obtain Union clearances and complete all components of the Mahadayi (Kalasa-Banduri) river diversion within five years (Rs 3,000 crore outlay), utilising 100% of Karnataka's allocated Mahadayi water, prioritising drinking water then agriculture then power, with rehabilitation of affected families and latest-technology dam construction. The Central Water Commission approved the revised DPR, but forest and wildlife clearances from the Union environment ministry remain the outstanding hurdle because the works fall within the core area of the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary. The project is being actively pursued but is not completed and the allocated water is not yet fully utilised.
To provide Rs 1000 crores for cleaning all important rivers in Karnataka (Kali, Bedthi, Krishna, Tungabhadra, Malaprabha, Bhima, Cauvery, Kabini, Shimsha, Arkavathi, Yagachi, Kumaradhara and Nethravathi Rivers) over a period of 5 years.
To undertake desilting of Thungabadra Dam on priority to ensure the 200 TMC of storage is not lost and additional area of agricultural area is brought under irrigation.
Rs 500 crore will be allocated in the first cabinet meeting [for the Mahadayi project].
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