Karnataka to Lead All-Party Delegation to Centre on Irrigation Projects After Elections: Shivakumar

March 2026 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar has announced that an all-party delegation of Members of Parliament from the state will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Jal Shakti Minister after the conclusion of Assembly elections in various states to address key irrigation issues affecting Karnataka.

Speaking to the media following a meeting with Karnataka MPs at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi, Shivakumar said the discussion focused on expediting major irrigation projects and resolving pending challenges. He emphasised the need for a unified approach to ensure the state’s interests are effectively represented before the Centre.

The meeting deliberated on several crucial projects, including the Mahadayi, Krishna, Tungabhadra, and Bhadra river projects, which are vital for irrigation and water management in the state. Shivakumar noted that while progress has been made, certain administrative and regulatory hurdles continue to delay implementation, necessitating coordinated intervention at the highest level.

According to him, the delegation initially planned to seek an early appointment with the Prime Minister and the concerned Union ministers. However, MPs suggested that the meeting be scheduled after the completion of elections in some states to avoid any potential political sensitivities.

“We must respect their request as all of us need to work together. Therefore, we have decided to postpone the meeting and fix a suitable date after the elections,” Shivakumar said, underlining the importance of consensus among leaders across party lines.

He pointed out that the announcement of elections in certain states could influence decision-making processes, and hence it was prudent to defer the meeting. The Deputy Chief Minister reiterated that the primary objective is to present a united front to secure Karnataka’s rightful share in water resources and accelerate irrigation development.

Shivakumar highlighted that the MPs, cutting across party affiliations, expressed a collective commitment to work in the interest of the state. “We have worked together in the past and will continue to do so. It is our intention to take an all-party delegation so that we can jointly pursue the welfare of Karnataka,” he said.

Providing an update on ongoing projects, Shivakumar said the land acquisition process for the Upper Krishna Project (UKP-3) has commenced. The government plans to acquire approximately 1.33 lakh acres of land by offering mutually agreed compensation to affected landowners. He added that sufficient funds have been earmarked in the state Budget for the project, describing it as one of the most significant land acquisition initiatives undertaken in the country.

On the long-standing Cauvery water dispute, Shivakumar affirmed that the state government would act strictly in accordance with the directives of the Supreme Court of India, ensuring compliance while safeguarding Karnataka’s interests.

The Deputy Chief Minister also revealed that the meeting with MPs was organised after consultations with Union ministers, including Pralhad Joshi, and that a total of 24 MPs attended the discussions.

Prominent leaders who participated in the meeting included former Chief Ministers Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai, former Deputy Chief Minister Govind Karjol, and BJP MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri. These leaders raised various concerns and offered suggestions regarding irrigation policies and project execution.

Shivakumar said the MPs were briefed on the steps taken by the current state government to advance irrigation projects, as well as the status of initiatives during the previous BJP administration. Relevant documents were shared to provide clarity on progress and policy direction.

“They have understood how the state government is moving forward and have assured their support. I thank all the MPs for their participation and constructive inputs,” he said.

He also mentioned that discussions were held with the government’s legal team to address ongoing disputes and compliance requirements related to irrigation projects. Expressing confidence in the team’s approach, Shivakumar said the government remains committed to resolving all issues in the larger interest of farmers and the public.

Responding to queries on the Yettinahole project, Shivakumar said the state had been awaiting environmental clearance for nearly a year. He indicated that work on the project would now proceed expeditiously, noting that nearly half of the work has already been completed.

“Certain conditions have been imposed, and we will comply with them while continuing the project,” he said. Addressing concerns about penalties linked to environmental violations, Shivakumar acknowledged that such challenges arise but stressed that the priority remains timely implementation.

The penalties relate to environmental compliance issues, including compensatory afforestation and other conditions imposed by the Regional Empowered Committee under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, after work on the project began without full clearances.

Overall, the meeting underscored a rare moment of political consensus, with leaders from across parties aligning on the need to prioritise Karnataka’s irrigation needs. The proposed all-party delegation is expected to play a crucial role in securing central support and accelerating long-pending projects once the electoral process concludes.