Eight lift irrigation projects under way in Kalyana Karnataka region

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Minister for Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology Ajay Singh addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on Sunday. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

Eight lift irrigation projects, estimated at ₹1,811 crore, are under way in the Kalyana Karnataka region to fill 88 tanks and strengthen irrigation facilities, Minister for Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology Ajay Singh has said.

The Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) and the Minor Irrigation Department have jointly taken up 13 projects at an estimated cost of ₹200 crore in 2025-26. Under this, efforts will be made to construct a series of check dams and undertake tank development works on the lines of the Sirpur model, he said.

The two agencies are to share the cost equally. So far, ₹10.65 crore has been spent, he added.

For 2026-27, the KKRDB, the Minor Irrigation Department and the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department will contribute ₹75 crore each towards projects amounting to ₹225 crore to improve groundwater levels in 25 Assembly constituencies of Kalyana Karnataka region. The projects are currently at the tendering stage, he said.

In Kalaburagi district, three lift irrigation projects involving an estimated ₹343 crore are under way to fill 19 tanks, Dr. Singh said.

These include the ₹89.30 crore Beeranahalli Lift Irrigation Project to provide irrigation facilities to drought-prone areas of Sedam taluk and the ₹82.50 crore Lift Irrigation Project near Kachur.

A ₹197.71 crore project has also been taken up in Kalaburagi South constituency to lift water from the upstream of the Bennethora reservoir and fill nine tanks. This is meant to meet drinking water requirements and improve groundwater levels.

In Chittapur taluk, a ₹135 crore project to fill nine tanks is under way. A bridge-cum-barrage is also being constructed at Harawal in Jewargi taluk at an estimated cost of ₹130 crore, he said.

Dr. Singh, who is also chairman of the KKRDB, said that the board has spent nearly ₹10,000 crore over the past three years.

The board earlier faced criticism that funds released for development works were not fully utilised, he said.

“Since assuming charge as chairman, I have overseen expenditure of ₹2,009 crore in 2023-24, ₹3,358 crore in 2024-25 and ₹4,137 crore in 2025-26. The board has set a target of spending ₹5,000 crore by the end of the current financial year,” he said.

Replying to a question, Dr. Singh said that the Science and Technology Department has already held the initial round of discussions on establishing a planetarium, science centre and science city in the region.