Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the State Government will soon take up work on restoration of Kabini dam at a cost of ₹32.25 crore.

Speaking to reporters after offering bagina to Kabini reservoir on Sunday (July 20, 2025), Mr. Siddaramaiah said the State Cabinet meeting held recently at MM Hills had approved the restoration project for the dam, which is about 51 years old.

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The construction of Kabini reservoir began in 1959 and was completed in 1974. As 51 years had elapsed since its construction was completed, the Government had decided to take up work on its restoration and strengthening. He, however, hastened to clarify that the Government’s restoration work does not mean that the dam had become weak.

It may be mentioned here that concerns had been expressed in certain quarters about the minor cracks and cavities in the dam structure. But, Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited (CNNL) had ruled out any immediate threat to the dam. “The Government will also take up work on modernisation of Taraka canal system,” he added.

“The Kabini, which takes birth in Kerala, and joins Cauvery at T. Narsipura, is a tributary of Cauvery. The Kabini river irrigates 1,08,000 acres of land,” he said. Mr. Siddaramaiah said the Government was also planning to build a garden on the lines of Brindavan Gardens at KRS reservoir.

To a question, the Chief Minister said more than the stipulated quantity of water was flowing to Tamil Nadu and regretted that the Centre was not giving permission to the State to build a balancing reservoir at Mekedatu.

When his attention was drawn to BJP’s suggestion that the Congress Government should convince its INDIA ally DMK, which is the ruling party in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Mr. Siddaramaiah shot back and asked why the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders was not able to persuade their party’s leaders in BJP-ruled Goa to permit the Mahadayi project in Karnataka, which is long pending.

However, he said the State Government was ready for Mekedatu project if the Centre gives permission for the same.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also holds the Water Resources portfolio, said the State Government had sent its technical teams to all dams to study their safety after a crest gate at Tungabhadra dam was washed away about a year back.

The Government will take up any work that is necessary for the safety of dams on a priority basis while adding that the restoration work of Kabini dam will also be taken up.

Responding to a request from HD Kote MLA Anil Chikkamadu, the State Government was considering a proposal to take up project to develop a garden at Kabini dam under public private partnership (PPP) model.

When asked about the demand for celebrating Kabini Utsav, Mr. Shivakumar said he will discuss the matter with the Minister in charge of Mysuru district H.C. Mahadevappa and take a decision.

He said, “The Government had already planned to hold a Cauvery Arathi at KRS reservoir and added that the project will not only boost tourism, but also generate employment. However, he said the Government’s first priority was safety of the dams.”

Mr. Mahadevappa, MLAs Anil Chikkamadu, Harish Gowda, A.R. Krishnamurthy and Darshan Dhruvanarayan and MLC D. Thimmaiah and others also accompanied the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister while offering bagina to Kabini on Sunday (July 20, 2025.)