**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes the response to Unstarred Question No. 3200 in Lok Sabha regarding central assistance for the Upper Bhadra Project, answered on December 18, 2025. The Ministry of Jal Shakti provides details on the project's appraisal, current status, and implementation. As of the response date, no central assistance has been released for the project.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Project Appraisal and Submission:**
* The Upper Bhadra Project, initially estimated at ₹16,125.48 crore (2018-19 price level), was appraised in a Public Investment Board (PIB) meeting on October 12, 2022.
* A revised proposal, including updated costs (2024-25 price level) and Benefit-Cost ratio, has been submitted to the Central Water Commission.
* **Central Assistance Status:**
* The Upper Bhadra Project is currently not included under any scheme of the Government of India.
* As a result, no central assistance has been released for the project to date.
* **Project Implementation Status:**
* The Upper Bhadra Project is being implemented by the Government of Karnataka through Visvesvaraya Jala Nigam Limited.
* Expenditure on the project until October 2025 is ₹11,051 Crore.
* Stage-I works (lift works) from Bhadra Reservoir to Ajjampura tunnel are complete. Works to lift water from the Tunga River to Bhadra Reservoir are underway.
* Stage-II works (canals, feeders, tank filling, drip irrigation) are at various stages of implementation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of India / Ministry of Jal Shakti**
* **Impact:** Needs to consider the revised proposal for the Upper Bhadra Project submitted to the Central Water Commission. Needs to evaluate the project's eligibility for inclusion under existing or new schemes to facilitate central assistance.
* **Action Required:** Evaluate the revised proposal, consider the project's inclusion under relevant schemes, and decide on the release of central assistance.
**Government of Karnataka / Visvesvaraya Jala Nigam Limited**
* **Impact:** Continued responsibility for implementing the Upper Bhadra Project and managing project expenditures.
* **Action Required:** Continue project implementation, and provide regular updates to the Ministry of Jal Shakti on the project's progress.
Key Entities Referenced
Upper Bhadra Project: Irrigation project in Karnataka receiving Central Assistance
Ministry of Jal Shakti: Union Ministry responsible for water resources
Karnataka: State where the Upper Bhadra Project is being implemented
Central Water Commission: Authority under Ministry of Jal Shakti, reviews and approves the Upper Bhadra Project
Public Investment Board (PIB): Board that appraises the Upper Bhadra Project
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3200
ANSWERED ON 18.12.2025
CENTRAL ASSISTANCE FOR UPPER BHADRA PROJECT
3200. SHRI E TUKARAM:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has released the Central assistance announced in the Union Budget 2023-24
for the Upper Bhadra Project, if so, the details thereof, tranche-wise and if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether any administrative, financial or inter-ministerial approvals are still pending in this regard and if
so, the details thereof;
(c) the current status of processing of the pending approvals and the time by which the Government
proposes to release the committed Central assistance; and
(d) whether the delay has impacted the project implementation milestones and if so, the details thereof
along with the corrective measures being taken by the Government in this regard?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) to (c) The Upper Bhadra Project, with an estimated cost of ₹16,125.48 crore at the 2018–19 price
level, was appraised in the Public Investment Board (PIB) meeting held on 12.10.2022. Presently, a revised
proposal with updated cost (at the 2024–25 price level) and Benefit–Cost (B.C.) ratio of the Upper Bhadra
Project has been submitted to the Central Water Commission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The Upper
Bhadra Project is presently not included under any scheme of the Government of India, hence no central
assistance has been released to the project so far.
(d) The Upper Bhadra project is being implemented by Government of Karnataka undertaking i.e.
Visvesvaraya Jala Nigam Limited. The reported expenditure in the project till October-2025 is ₹ 11,051
Crore. As informed by the State, the Stage-I works (lift works) of the project for lifting of water from
Bhadra Reservoir to Ajjampura tunnel are complete, while the works for lifting of water from the Tunga
River to Bhadra Reservoir are underway. The Stage-II works, comprising canals, feeders, tank filling and
drip irrigation components, are reported by the State to be at the various stages of implementation.
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