Despite repeated government orders and High Court directions, the proposed relocation of major irrigation corporations remains incomplete after several years
Vijayapura
The long-pending proposal to shift the headquarters of Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL) and Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam Limited (KBJNL) from Bengaluru to North Karnataka has not been implemented despite repeated government orders and directions from the Karnataka High Court.
The relocation was first approved by the JD(S)-Congress coalition government on January 10, 2019. Then Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy ordered that the KBJNL headquarters be shifted to Almatti in Basavana Bagewadi taluk of Vijayapura district and the KNNL regional office to Davanagere. The proposal also included shifting five other government offices to North Karnataka.
Later, the BJP government led by Basavaraj Bommai issued fresh orders in 2022 to implement the decision. However, no major progress has been made.
Key Points:
Government approved shifting KBJNL headquarters to Almatti and KNNL office to Davanagere.
Karnataka High Court directed authorities to implement the relocation after a PIL was filed in 2021.
Water Resources Department instructed officials in May 2022 to shift offices and submit a compliance report.
Critics allege an affidavit submitted before the High Court in 2024 wrongly claimed the office had already shifted.
KNNL continues to function from the Coffee Board building in Bengaluru, reportedly paying around ₹50 lakh as monthly rent.
Farmer organisations and stakeholders say the delay has affected efficient irrigation administration in North Karnataka. They believe shifting the offices closer to major irrigation projects would help speed up decisions, improve services to farmers and reduce unnecessary government expenditure.
Yasin Javali, President of the North Karnataka Farmers Development Association, urged the government to honour its earlier commitments. He said relocating the corporations would strengthen irrigation management and support farmers. Farmer groups have appealed to the present government to complete the long-pending relocation without further delay.