Delay in UKP Project’s third phase results in water loss in state

Bagalkot
The third phase of the Krishna Upper Krishna Project (UKP) has faced significant delays, causing Karnataka to lose its rightful share of water to the undivided Andhra Pradesh over the past ten years. A total of 5,611 TMC of water has been lost, while Karnataka has been unable to use its allotted 1,170 TMC.
The Krishna Tribunal’s 2010 ruling had permitted Karnataka to use 177 TMC annually. However, delays in advancing the project have impacted irrigation plans for 5.94 lakh hectares in Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Bagalkote, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, and Gadag districts. Enhancing water storage would require increasing the Almatti Dam’s gate height from 519.6 meters to 524.256 meters.
The project also involves acquiring 1.33 lakh acres of land and relocating 20 villages expected to submerge. So far, only 29,500 acres have been acquired, delaying the process. Originally estimated at Rs 51,000 crore in 2014-15, the project’s cost rose to Rs 78,000 crore by 2018 due to rising acquisition expenses, and is now expected to exceed Rs 1 lakh crore.
Farmers in the region have expressed frustration, as land acquisition status marked as “in progress” has restricted land sales and loans. Efforts to secure compensation have left many awaiting support, while officials have issued three acquisition-related notices as land acquisition continues under Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam Limited (KBJNL) guidelines.