Irrigation works proposed across Kalyana Karnataka districts in Budget

The Karnataka Budget for 2026-27 has proposed a series of irrigation initiatives in the districts of Kalyana Karnataka, including works under the Water Resources and Minor Irrigation Departments aimed at improving water availability for agriculture in the drought-prone region.

Presenting the Budget in the Legislative Assembly on Friday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced measures to strengthen irrigation infrastructure in several parts of North Karnataka, particularly in districts that depend heavily on monsoon and limited canal irrigation.

Among the initiatives is the modernisation and strengthening of tanks and irrigation structures in parts of the region. The Budget proposes works related to irrigation tanks in Yelaburga and Kukanuru taluks of Koppal district, as well as in Jidaga village of Aland taluk in Kalaburagi district at a cost of ₹25 crore.

These projects are aimed at improving water storage capacity and ensuring better irrigation coverage for agricultural lands in surrounding villages.

The Budget has also announced that 33 dilapidated gates of the Tungabhadra dam will be replaced before the onset of the monsoon. The dam is a key irrigation lifeline for farmers in the Tungabhadra command areas of Raichur, Koppal, Ballari, and Vijayanagara districts. The replacement of the ageing gates is expected to improve operational safety and ensure better water management in the reservoir.

Agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood in large parts of Kalyana Karnataka, and the strengthening of irrigation infrastructure is considered crucial for stabilising farm incomes in a region that frequently experiences drought and erratic rainfall.