Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on 9 July announced that the state has formally conveyed its consent to the Centre's proposal to interlink the Krishna, Cauvery, and Godavari rivers — a project estimated to cost ₹1 lakh crore and designated as a National Project. The announcement, made in Belagavi, signals a significant step toward addressing long-term water security in Karnataka.

Key Developments on the River-Linking Project

Under the proposed funding structure, the Centre will bear 90 per cent of the project cost, with Karnataka contributing the remaining 10 per cent. Shivakumar confirmed the state's formal agreement in principle, though implementation timelines and detailed project reports are yet to be finalised.

The river-linking initiative is part of a broader push to secure water availability for farmers and address chronic shortages in rain-dependent regions of the state.

Tungabhadra Reservoir: A Three-State Consensus

Shivakumar also highlighted a rare trilateral agreement on the Tungabhadra reservoir, which has been losing nearly 33 TMC of water storage capacity due to heavy silt accumulation. He said Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh have, for the first time, reached a consensus on addressing the issue — under the leadership of Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil.

'Our priority is to protect farmers. Due to heavy silt accumulation in the Tungabhadra reservoir, the state is losing nearly 33 TMC of water storage capacity. To find a permanent solution, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have, for the first time, reached a consensus under the leadership of Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil,' Shivakumar said.

A technical committee constituted by the Central government will study the silt problem and submit its report, after which further decisions will be taken. In the interim, priority has been given to constructing a balancing reservoir to improve water management. Notably, following a gate breach at the Tungabhadra reservoir last year, the government restored operations within a week and subsequently replaced all 33 reservoir gates.

Mahadayi Dispute: Shivakumar Flags Lack of Response

On the long-pending Mahadayi river water dispute involving Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra, Shivakumar expressed frustration over the absence of a response from the Centre. He said he has met Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change five times on the matter, but is yet to receive a substantive reply.

'BJP leaders celebrated before the elections claiming the issue had been resolved, but my efforts to secure a solution are continuing,' he said, signalling that the dispute remains unresolved despite political claims to the contrary.

Karnataka's Stand on the Border Dispute with Maharashtra

Responding to reports of Maharashtra convening a meeting on the inter-state border issue, Shivakumar said Kannada organisations have submitted representations to the Karnataka government. He emphasised that the state would obtain a comprehensive report before making any decision and that all stakeholders would be kept in confidence.

'Just because Maharashtra has held a meeting does not mean the issue is settled. We will also take into account the legal aspects pending before the court. Karnataka's interests will be fully protected,' he said. The border dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra has been a long-standing legal and political flashpoint, with matters pending before the courts.

With the river-linking consent now formally conveyed, the next critical milestone will be the Centre's technical committee report on the Tungabhadra silt issue and the formal launch of the interlinking project framework.