Karnataka's ambitious Yettinahole project aims to deliver drinking water to seven districts by the close of 2027, Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy recently confirmed. The Minister provided this update to Legislative Council member Ivan D'Souza, detailing significant progress and strategic adjustments for the extensive scheme.
Key approvals have paved the way for accelerated work. The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change granted integrated forest clearance for the first phase on April 1, 2026. Following this, permission for earth excavation, excluding concreting, was issued on May 20 for a one-year period, allowing ground works to commence.
Pipeline construction is well underway, particularly for the Madhugiri-Pavagada, T.G. Halli Ramanagara, and Gauribidanur feeder lines, which branch off before the main balancing reservoir. Out of a total of 254.97 km of pipeline works, 249.21 km have been finished, with the remaining sections progressing through various stages.
Significant changes have been incorporated into the project's design. A revised report indicates that the primary balancing reservoir, initially planned near Byragoundu village in Koratagere taluk, will now be constructed near Lakkenahalli village in Doddaballapur taluk. The corporation's board of directors has approved this relocation, and steps are in motion to assign the contract to relevant parties. Furthermore, during its 33rd meeting on November 6, 2025, the Board of Directors sanctioned a detailed project report for an additional balancing reservoir. This new facility, with a storage capacity of 1.20 TMC, will be built near Vaderahalli in Koratagere taluk, complementing the 1.38 TMC Lakkenahalli reservoir, to meet anticipated future drinking water demand. Tenders are currently out for appointing consultants for this new phase.
Works for Kolar Lift Package-1 and Gravity Pipeline Package-2, situated beyond the balancing reservoir, are advancing. Approval processes are ongoing for alignment, design maps, and quality assurance plans for Kolar Gravity Pipeline Package-3 and 4, along with five packages of Kolar and Srinivaspura feeder pipeline construction. Land acquisition, a common hurdle since the project's inception in 2013-14, is being expedited through tripartite agreements with farmers, addressing delays previously caused by forest clearances, NGT cases, and permissions from various departments.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK