Centre Responsible for Delay in Kalasa Banduri and Mekedatu Projects Says Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday strongly accused the Central government of slowing down key water and irrigation projects, saying pending clearances have prevented Karnataka from starting work on the long awaited Kalasa Banduri and Mekedatu schemes.

Addressing a gathering at Shiraguppi village near Hubballi during the foundation laying ceremony for development works worth 350 crore rupees, the Chief Minister said the state is ready with plans and tenders but cannot move forward without formal approvals from the Centre. He stressed that even if work orders are prepared, progress remains stuck on paper due to delays at the national level.

He noted that the Supreme Court had already given its nod to the Kalasa Banduri project in 2018 and that the state has completed the tendering process. According to him, construction could begin immediately if the necessary permissions are granted. He also urged the National Wildlife Board to expedite its clearance so that people in drought prone regions can benefit from the scheme.

Turning to the Mekedatu project, Siddaramaiah said it is designed to provide 65 TMC of drinking water and strengthen water security for Bengaluru and nearby districts. Despite Tamil Nadu objections being dismissed, the project is still awaiting the Centre green signal. He added that promises made for funding the Bhadra upper bank project have not yet materialised.

At the same event, the Chief Minister inaugurated and launched multiple local works including flood control measures for the Bennehalla stream and other infrastructure projects. He credited local MLA N H Konaraddi for pushing the Bennehalla plan, which has now begun with an initial investment of 200 crore rupees to protect dozens of villages and thousands of hectares of farmland from recurring floods.

Responding to criticism that guarantee schemes have stalled development, Siddaramaiah said such claims are false and politically motivated. He pointed out that thousands of crores are being spent on welfare and infrastructure simultaneously. The government has allocated large sums for irrigation and provides direct financial support to families every month, he said, arguing that development and social security can go hand in hand.

He also expressed concern over the discontinuation of rural employment initiatives and said the state would fight to restore job opportunities for women youth and marginalised communities who depend on such programmes. The government, he said, remains committed to both growth and human dignity while continuing its pressure on the Centre for faster approvals.