BENGALURU, 3 JULY

Karnataka Infrastructure Development Minister MB Patil met Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday to discuss preparations for the upcoming Cabinet meeting in Vijayapura and to seek approval for a key irrigation project.

Patil submitted a memorandum requesting Rs 550 crore for constructing a 0.775 TMC reservoir near Babanagar under the Tubachi-Babaleshwar Lift Irrigation Scheme. The project aims to provide year-round water for agriculture, drinking, and livestock in water-scarce regions such as Babaleshwar, Tikota, Jamakhandi, and Athani. Currently, around 1.3 lakh acres—60 per cent under horticulture—are supported by the scheme, but face shortages during summer.

He proposed using 434 acres of available government land for the reservoir, expressing hope for a positive response from the Water Resources Department, which is overseen by Shivakumar.

The meeting also touched on land acquisition for the proposed Aerospace and Defence Park near Devanahalli, where Patil emphasised fair compensation for farmers.

Amid speculation of internal discord, Patil and Shivakumar reaffirmed party unity, while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed BJP’s claims of a rift as “lies”. He assured that the Congress government would complete its full five-year term and clarified that divisional cabinet meetings, including the one in Vijayapura, are part of regular governance outreach.