Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who holds the Water Resources portfolio, speaking at the 125th meeting of the Tungabhadra Irrigation Consultative Committee at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Friday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Water release schedule for various canals under the Tungabhadra project were finalised for the 2025-26 rabi season at the 125th meeting of the Tungabhadra Irrigation Consultative Committee at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Friday.
The meeting, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also holds the Water Resources portfolio, reviewed water availability in the Tungabhadra Reservoir and discussed supply constraints arising from the ongoing installation of crest gates, in the event of the water level reaching 1,613 ft.
In view of these works, the Irrigation Consultative Committee noted that it will not be possible to provide water for an extended irrigation season and therefore, it resolved to release water primarily for standing crops and essential uses, including drinking needs during summer.
Accordingly, it was decided that water will be released into the Tungabhadra Left Bank Main Canal starting December 1, 2025 till January 10, 2026 at a rate of 3,000 cusecs for standing crops.
The Vijayanagar Left Bank Canal will receive water from January 1 to May 10, 2026, at 150 cusecs, covering distributary canals 1 to 11, subject to availability.
For the Tungabhadra Right Bank High Level Canal, water will be supplied from December 1, 2025 to January 10, 2026 at a rate of 1,300 cusecs, while the Tungabhadra Right Bank Low Level Canal will receive water during the same period at 750 cusecs for only standing crops.
The Raya Basavanna canal will get an average supply of 250 cusecs from January 1 to May 31, 2026 or until water remains available, whichever is earlier.
In addition, it was resolved to supply 150 cusecs to the river-supplemented areas, including industrial units dependent on the system.
The committee also approved release of water into the Left Bank High Level Canal from December 1 at 25 cusecs until the reservoir level falls to 1,585 ft.
Speaking after the meeting, Irrigation Consultative Committee Chairman and Minister Shivaraj S. Tangadagi said that the schedule balanced the limited water availability with the need to protect standing crops in the command areas.
He said that the decision reflects the consensus reached after detailed deliberations with people’s representatives, irrigation officials and district administrations.
Minister N.S. Boseraju, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, Regional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and senior officers of the Irrigation and Agriculture Departments participated in the meeting.
Published – November 14, 2025 08:44 pm IST
