Upper Bhadra Project

In news

Recently, the Upper Bhadra project of Karnataka has received approval from the Centre to be declared a “national project”

About Upper Bhadra Project

Conceived in 2000, the project received administrative approval in 2003 at an estimated cost of Rs. 2,813 crore(the project cost escalated over the years hence total project cost is Rs. 21,473 crore)
This project is designed to irrigate 2.25 lakh hectares in Chitradurga, Davangere, Tumakuru, and parts of Chikkamagaluru
Upper Bhadra Project is a major lift irrigation scheme under implementation in the central region of Karnataka State.
It envisages lifting of water in first stage from Tunga to Bhadra and lifting of water in second stage from Bhadra reservoir and providing it to Tunnel near Ajjampura through gravity canal in Tungabhadra sub-basin of Krishna basin
The primary objective of the projects is providing sustainable irrigation facility in Kharif season and the other objective of the project is to recharge the groundwater table, dilute the chemical contaminants of which Fluoride is predominant.
With the Upper Bhadra project getting national project status, the Centre is expected to provide about Rs.16,125 crore of the Rs.21,473 crore cost
The funds could start flowing in as early as January 2021, and the project could be completed in about three years

About National project status

The Central Water Commission (CWC) has approved the national project status for Upper Bhadra project
Only projects covering over 2 lakh hectares under drip irrigation qualify to receive funding from the Centre if they receive national project status.
To meet the parameters to qualify for national project status, no-objection certificate is a must from 12 departments.

What are the criteria for the selection of a National project?

The criteria for selection of National Project are:

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.
Interstate projects 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 potential of more than 2,00,000 hectare (ha) and with no dispute regarding sharing of water and where hydrology is established