Indian National Congress · Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election 2023
Last updated 18 Jun 2026
“To pursue and complete them within five years and provide budgetary support. New Projects: Mekedatu (Project Cost Rs 9,000 Cr), Mahadayi (Rs 3,000 Cr). Existing projects: Upper Bhadra, Upper Krishna, Yethinahole and Varahi.”
Stalled. The promise was to pursue and complete, within five years and with budgetary support, the Mekedatu (Rs 9,000 crore) and Mahadayi (Rs 3,000 crore) new projects and the existing Upper Bhadra, Upper Krishna, Yethinahole and Varahi projects. These major projects remain incomplete: Mekedatu is held up over the inter-state Cauvery dispute and central clearance; the Mahadayi (Kalasa-Banduri) diversion is stuck at central forest and wildlife clearances (the works fall in the core area of a wildlife sanctuary); the Upper Bhadra central assistance announced in the 2023-24 Union Budget remains unreleased; and the Upper Krishna Tribunal award is yet to be gazette-notified. Completion within five years is not on track. Much of the delay sits at the level of inter-state disputes and pending central clearances/funding rather than state inaction.
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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