₹200 Crore Boost: Upper Bhadra Project Enters Final Stretch

Planning, Statistics, and District In-charge Minister D. Sudhakar has said that water from the Upper Bhadra Project will be supplied to Gonur Lake on an experimental basis by the end of February or March 2026.

Speaking after hoisting the Tricolour at the 77th Republic Day celebrations, the Minister also announced that the government would release ₹200 crore to complete pending works under the ₹2,677-crore Upper Bhadra Project. The project, which aims to enable drip irrigation across 73,946 hectares in the Hiriyur, Chitradurga, Holalkere, and Challakere taluks, has already completed its tendering process.

Highlighting agricultural performance, Sudhakar said Chitradurga district ranked first in the state in foodgrain production, with an output of 48,682 tonnes during 2025–26. He also referred to the development of an industrial corridor near Metikurki in Hiriyur taluk, which is expected to generate employment opportunities for local residents.

In addition, the Minister said the government has allocated 1,211 acres of land for the Davangere–Tumakuru rail line, with rail services expected to commence by December 2027.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.