Lok Sabha Question No. 257 (STARRED), answered on 2024-08-08
Subject: Upper Bhadra Project
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Dr. Prabha Mallikarjun

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *257

ANSWERED ON 08.08.2024

## UPPER BHADRA PROJECT

## *257.     DR. PRABHA MALLIKARJUN

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that Union Government has sanctioned 5300 crore Central assistance to Upper Bhadra Project and not yet released any funds to the Government of Karnataka so far;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for not releasing funds therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Union  Government  is  aware  that  the  completion  of  Upper  Bhadra  Project  is  expected  to irrigate  approximately  2.25  lakh  hectares  by  filling  367  tanks  through  micro  irrigation  in  drought  prone districts of Central Karnataka viz. Davangere, Chikkamagaluru, Tumakuru and Chitradurga districts; and (d) if so, the time by which the aforesaid project would be completed?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI (SHRI C R PAATIL)

(a) to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. *257  TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  08.08.2024  IN  LOK  SABHA  REGARDING  'UPPER  BHADRA PROJECT'

(a)  &  (b) Water  being  a  State  subject,  mandate  for  planning,  implementation  and  funding  of  irrigation projects lies in the domain of the State Government concerned. However, partial financial assistance to the identified  irrigation  projects  is  being  provided  by  Government  of  India  under  its  ongoing  schemes.  Apart from this, techno-economic appraisal of Inter-state medium and major irrigation projects is to be done by Central Water Commission under this Ministry.

Upper Bhadra Project of Karnataka is presently not included under any scheme of Government of India, thus there is no question of sanction of funds for the project.

However, techno-economic viability of the project was accepted by the concerned Committee of this Ministry  and  the  project  was  appraised  by  Public  Investment  Board  (PIB)  which  recommended  central assistance of  Rs. 5,300 crore to the project and the same was provisioned in the Union Budget 2023-24.

Thereafter, as per the request of the State Government in August, 2023, a proposal was taken up by Ministry of Jal Shakti for providing financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme scheme (PMKSY-AIBP).

However,  approval  for  inclusion  of  a  project  for  partial  financial  assistance  under  the  ongoing schemes  of  this  Ministry  requires  compilation  of  updated  financial  details  for  the  project,  including  the expenditure  made,  balance  cost  and  the  updated  eligible  central  assistance  based  on  the  balance  cost. Further, decision regarding inclusion of the project depends on the available funds, geographic distribution under the scheme, priority under the scheme, etc.

(c) Yes.

(d) As per information provided by the Government of Karnataka which is implementing the project, the project is targeted for completion by March, 2026.

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