'What Have You Achieved?' Karnataka Officials In Dock For Spending Rs 400 Cr On Project Without Forest Department Nod

News cities bengaluru-news 'What Have You Achieved?' Karnataka Officials In Dock For Spending Rs 400 Cr On Project Without Forest Department Nod

Last Updated:October 27, 2026, 09:31 IST

Questioning the rationale behind constructing canals without completing the dam, the minister warned that the infrastructure could eventually fall into disrepair.

Karnataka Water Resources Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy pulled up officials for spending nearly Rs 400 crore on the Ballari Nala project in Belagavi without obtaining Forest Department clearance, questioning what they had achieved despite the massive expenditure. He also expressed displeasure over delays in completing irrigation projects across North Karnataka.

During a review meeting at the office of the Chief Engineer of Karnataka Neeravari Nigam’s North Zone in Belagavi, the Minister questioned officials over the expenditure on a project initiated nearly two decades ago that remains incomplete.

“You have already spent Rs 400 crore on the construction of a new dam at Ballari Nala without even obtaining permission from the Forest Department. What have you achieved by this? Who is forcing you to do such things?" he asked.

Chaluvarayaswamy pointed out that more than Rs 400 crore had also been spent on canals despite the absence of the required clearance for the dam. Questioning the rationale behind constructing canals without completing the dam, he warned that the infrastructure could eventually fall into disrepair. He accused officials of wasting public money and said similar issues had emerged in several irrigation projects across North Karnataka.

The minister also mentioned that the Ballari Nala project, which was estimated to cost Rs 135 crore in 2005, has now seen its cost rise to Rs 635 crore. He directed officials to place the revised project cost before the corporation’s board for approval and initiate the tender process only after obtaining clearance from the Forest Department.

He also instructed officials to immediately hand over land identified in Belagavi and Bagalkot districts to the Forest Department for compensatory afforestation.

Officials were further asked to submit a detailed report by the evening on the left and right banks of Hidkal Dam, its command area and the Ballari Nala project.

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