DK Shivakumar Seeks Centre Support for Karnataka Drought and Bengaluru Projects

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has intensified efforts to secure central assistance for drought relief, water projects and several infrastructure proposals in Bengaluru.

During his recent visit to Delhi, Shivakumar took up issues with Union ministers and sought an opportunity to discuss the state’s drought situation directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Chief Minister has asked the Centre to provide immediate financial support as drought conditions continue to affect parts of Karnataka.

The state had earlier submitted a Kharif 2026 drought memorandum seeking Rs 3,705.30 crore in central assistance. The initial memorandum covered 101 drought affected taluks, but subsequent assessments increased the number of affected taluks to 177. The state government has warned that the number could cross 200 before the end of the southwest monsoon.

Shivakumar has sought the release of part of the requested amount as interim assistance rather than waiting for the entire assessment and approval process to conclude. He has also asked for the advance release of the Centre’s share of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund.

The requested assistance is intended to help the state deal with crop losses, drinking water requirements, livestock protection and other immediate relief measures.

Alongside the drought issue, Bengaluru’s infrastructure requirements formed another important part of the Chief Minister’s discussions in Delhi.

Shivakumar met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and raised several proposals involving defence land in and around Bengaluru. One of the major requests was permission to develop about 730 acres of unused defence land near the Iblur Firing Range as a permanent public park and green space for the city.

The proposal is aimed at creating a large open space in a rapidly expanding part of Bengaluru. The state has proposed that the area be developed as a public park without commercial development while ownership would remain with the defence authorities.

The Chief Minister also raised issues involving defence land needed for road and tunnel projects. The state has sought land for a proposed road connecting Lower Agaram Road with Sarjapur Road through Ejipura Junction.

Another request concerns the Bengaluru Urban Vehicular Twin Tunnel Project. Karnataka has sought around 2.039 acres of defence land near Hebbal for a ramp and has also requested permission for the tunnel to pass through defence areas near Mekhri Circle.

The state has also asked the Defence Ministry to reconsider the licence fee associated with the land required for the tunnel project. Reports say the government has sought a reduction of the applicable charge to 2 percent of the land value.

Other Bengaluru related requests include addressing notified slums located on defence land and providing land for road widening and connectivity projects. Shivakumar has also sought a review of building height restrictions around certain airports and defence aviation facilities while retaining necessary flight safety requirements.

Water infrastructure remains another major part of Karnataka’s discussions with the Centre.

Shivakumar has been seeking faster progress on the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir and Drinking Water Project. The revised project is estimated to cost Rs 16,745 crore, and Karnataka is seeking faster examination of its Detailed Project Report and the required clearances.

The Upper Bhadra Project has also been included among the state’s demands for central assistance. Karnataka wants the project to receive support under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana.

The state has additionally raised issues connected with the Krishna water dispute and the sharing of Karnataka’s allocated water resources. Shivakumar has sought central intervention on matters pending before the courts and involving inter state water arrangements.

The Chief Minister’s latest Delhi visit therefore covered issues stretching from immediate drought assistance to long term water infrastructure and urban development.

The drought request has gained urgency because Karnataka has reported worsening rainfall deficits and growing pressure on agriculture and water availability. The state has already announced assistance measures for affected farmers while continuing to seek financial support from the Centre.

Shivakumar has also linked the discussions to concerns surrounding the Kasturirangan report and its possible implications for communities in the Western Ghats. He has indicated that these concerns would be raised before the Prime Minister along with the state’s wider water and drought related issues.

The Karnataka government has also sought political participation in discussions on major state issues. Shivakumar has called for an all party approach on drought, water resources and other matters that require coordination with the Centre.

For Bengaluru, the discussions with the Defence Ministry are significant because several major road and infrastructure proposals require access to defence controlled land. The outcome of those requests will depend on the clearances and conditions set by the Union government.

For Karnataka’s drought situation, the immediate focus remains on obtaining financial assistance and ensuring that relief reaches affected communities. The state is continuing to pursue both interim assistance and longer term support for water and irrigation projects.

The latest meetings show that the state government’s requests to the Centre cover several connected priorities, including drought relief, water security and Bengaluru’s infrastructure needs. Further decisions will depend on the Centre’s response and the progress of the respective approval processes.