Bagepalli’s 24 lakes receive water under HN Valley Irrigation Project, boosting groundwater, supporting farmers, and expanding sustainable irrigation in Chikkaballapur district
Chikkaballapur
Minor Irrigation & Science-Technology Minister N.S. Bosaraju inaugurated the second phase of the H.N. Valley Irrigation Project by releasing treated wastewater from Bengaluru to fill 24 lakes in Bagepalli taluk on Tuesday. Speaking at Achepalli lake premises, he said the initiative of treating Bengaluru’s sewage through Hebbar-Nagawara Valley & Koramangala-Chelghat Valley projects and using it to recharge groundwater in surrounding districts is the best in Asia and has earned top recognition.
In the first phase, 65 lakes across Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural & Chikkaballapura districts are being filled. The second phase, launched today, covers 24 lakes in Bagepalli, bringing great joy. The project will make available 19.5 TMC of water solely for groundwater recharge. The Minister urged farmers not to use this water directly for irrigation, cattle or drinking.
So far, 143 lakes have been filled via K.C. Valley and 65 via H.N. Valley, raising groundwater levels dramatically — from over 1,200 feet earlier to around 300 feet now. The Cabinet has approved ₹650 crore for the third phase under Vrishabhavathi Valley to fill more lakes in Tumakuru, Bengaluru Rural & Chikkaballapura districts within two years.
District In-charge Minister Dr. M.C. Sudhakar praised the continuous efforts to fill all lakes in the rain-deficient Chikkaballapura & Kolar regions and credited Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda’s vision for the success of KC & HN Valley projects.
Bagepalli MLA S.N. Subba Reddy called it a joyous moment and assured permanent water in these 24 lakes, efforts to extend HN Valley water to Chelur taluk lakes, and foundation stone-laying soon for the ₹200-crore Gantala Mallamma dam to make the region green.
