Bagalkote (Karnataka), March 14 (NationPress) - The Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, D.K. Shivakumar, announced on Saturday that a crucial meeting is scheduled in New Delhi with local Members of Parliament to address the objections raised by Andhra Pradesh regarding the third phase of the Upper Krishna Project (UKP). This meeting aims to apply pressure on the Central government.

During a press briefing in Bagalkote, Dy CM Shivakumar, who also oversees the Water Resources portfolio, confirmed that the gathering is set for March 17 at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi.

Shivakumar emphasized that Karnataka will firmly voice its concerns against the position taken by the Andhra Pradesh government, which has opposed the implementation of the UKP’s third phase, a significant irrigation initiative for Karnataka, and has not collaborated on measures to mitigate water wastage from the Tungabhadra dam.

He elaborated that the Andhra Pradesh government submitted a letter to the Centre expressing its objections to the UKP's implementation and the associated land acquisition process. This prompted the Central government to seek clarification from Karnataka.

According to Dy CM Shivakumar, the State is progressing with the project in line with the tribunal’s directive to utilize its rightful water share. He mentioned that works totaling approximately Rs 26,000 crore under this project have already commenced.

He clarified that Karnataka does not currently intend to raise the height of the Almatti dam. “We are merely preparing to utilize our water share, as per the 2010 order. However, the Andhra Pradesh government has also raised objections regarding this,” he stated.

Moreover, the Deputy Chief Minister pointed out that nearly 30 TMC of water allocated for Karnataka is being wasted from the Tungabhadra dam, alleging that Andhra Pradesh has not been cooperative in finding alternative solutions to prevent this wastage.

Shivakumar confirmed that he, along with Ministers H.K. Patil, M.B. Patil, and Boseraju, will travel to New Delhi on Tuesday to engage with Karnataka MPs and exert pressure on the Central government concerning this matter.

The third phase of the Upper Krishna Project (UKP-III) in Karnataka represents a substantial irrigation venture aimed at increasing the Almatti dam's height from 519.6 meters to 524.256 meters. With a projected cost between Rs 70,000 crore and over Rs 1.22 lakh crore, this initiative intends to utilize 130.90 TMC of water to irrigate nearly six lakh hectares in northern Karnataka.