Legislator criticizes delay in Yettinahole water project
A Karnataka Legislative Council member faults the Yettinahole drinking water project for long delays and escalating costs. The discussion updates the status, cost growth, and remaining steps toward completion.
Key takeaways
- A Karnataka legislator accused the government and officials of irresponsibility due to a 12-year delay in the Yettinahole project.
- Project costs have risen from about ₹8,323.50 crore in the initial estimate to roughly ₹30,000 crore currently.
- The project aims to divert 24.01 tmcft of water to drought-affected districts and plans to release water to Tumkuru by November 2026, with full completion targeted for end-2027.
What Happened
The Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Supply Project, approved in July 2012 to divert water to drought-hit districts, was criticized in the Karnataka Legislative Council for taking 12 years without completion. The critic pointed to ongoing delays and escalating costs, noting that no water had yet reached its intended destination. Government representatives said work is progressing in multiple packages, with a plan to complete the project by the end of 2027 and to provide drinking water to seven districts in a phased manner.
Why It Matters
The debate centers on accountability for a large-scale water infrastructure effort meant to alleviate water shortages in several districts. Proponents indicate phased execution across numerous packages and ongoing land acquisition, while critics highlight coordination problems and repeated cost increases that raise questions about project viability and timing. The stated end goal is to deliver water to target districts, including Tumkuru as a near-term milestone.
Background
The project’s aim is to divert 24.01 tmcft of water from streams west of the Sakleshpur area to drought-affected districts like Kolar and Chickballapur. It was approved in 2012, with initial cost estimates around ₹8,323.50 crore, which rose to ₹12,912.36 crore by 2014 and ₹23,251.66 crore by 2023. The current estimated cost is about ₹30,000 crore. Delays have been attributed to forest clearance, National Green Tribunal approvals, National Highways clearances, Railway Department clearances, land acquisition, and other departmental approvals. Land acquisition is being pursued through tripartite agreements with farmers.
Key Facts
- Project approved: July 2012
- Water diversion target: 24.01 tmcft from streams west of Sakleshpur
- Aim: supply drinking water to Kolar, Chickballapur and other drought-affected areas
- Initial cost: ₹8,323.50 crore
- Cost by 2014: ₹12,912.36 crore
- Cost by 2023: ₹23,251.66 crore
- Current estimated cost: around ₹30,000 crore
- Water release target to Tumkuru date set by government: November 2026
- Packages: 54 total, 20 completed as per official
- Timeline: project being implemented in phases since 2013-14
- Major implementation challenges cited: forest clearance, NGT approvals, NH clearances, Railway clearances, land acquisition
- Current completion target stated: end of 2027
What Happens Next
Officials indicate continued, phased execution across remaining packages and ongoing land acquisition through tripartite farmer agreements. The government maintains a target completion window by the end of 2027 and a date to release water to Tumkuru in November 2026, contingent on approvals and steady progress across regulatory and logistical steps.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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