Upper Bhadra project

Subject: Geography

Section :Indian Geography

Concept:

Finance Minister recently announced a grant of ₹5300 crore for the Upper Bhadra Irrigation Project.

Upper Bhadra project

It is a major lift irrigation Scheme under implementation in the central region of Karnataka State.
Major objective is to provide sustainable irrigation facility in kharif season.
It also proposes to recharge ground water tables and provide drinking water by filling 367 tanks with six tmcft water in drought-prone taluks.
It is planned to irrigate an extent of 2,25,515 hectares by micro irrigation in drought-prone districts of Chikkamagalur, Chitradurga, Tumkur and Davangere.
It envisages lifting upto17.40 TMC of water in first stage from Tunga river to existing Bhadra reservoir and lifting 29.90 TMC of water in second stage from Bhadra reservoir to Tunnel near Ajjampura, in Tungabhadra sub-basin of Krishna basin.
In 2022, Central government gave national project status to “Upper Bhadra Project”.

Tungabhadra River:

It is a sacred river in southern India that flows through the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The ancient name of the river was Pampa.
It is formed by the confluence of two rivers, the Tunga River and the Bhadra
Both Tunga & Bhadra Rivers are originated on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats.

National Project Status

Eligibility criteria for inclusion of a project under National Projects (NP) scheme being serviced by this Ministry, are as below:
International projects, where usage of water in India is required by a treaty or where planning and early completion of the project is necessary in the interest of the country.

Inter-State projects which are dragging on due to non-resolution of Inter-State issues relating to sharing of costs, rehabilitation, aspects of power production etc., including river interlinking projects.

Intra-State projects with additional irrigation potential of more than two lakh hectare and with no dispute regarding sharing of water and where hydrology is established.

Extension, renovation and modernization (ERM) projects envisaging extension/ restoration of irrigation potential of 2 lakh hectare.
However, mere eligibility of a project does not entitle its inclusion under the NP scheme.
Inclusion is also dependent upon approval of Advisory Committee on Irrigation, Flood Control and Multipurpose projects of DoWR, RD&GR as per laid down procedure, investment clearance, recommendations by High Powered Steering Committee, availability of funds as well as Government priorities at that time, etc.
Central assistance in the form of grant under NP scheme, is given on the balance works component of the project pertaining to irrigation and drinking water only.

Funding Pattern

Projects in 8 North-Eastern, 2 Himalayan States (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand) and Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh – 90 (Centre) : 10 (State)
Projects in other states – 60 (Centre) : 40 ( State)