Karnataka Urges Centre To Intervene As Neighbouring States Block Almatti Dam Height Increase

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has urged the Centre to intervene in the escalating dispute over raising the Almatti Dam's height, as neighbouring states mount opposition to the ambitious infrastructure project.

The state government seeks to increase the dam's height from 519 metres to 524 metres on the Krishna River, but faces objections from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra.

Speaking to the media today, Shivakumar revealed that Andhra Pradesh has written to the Union Government requesting it refrain from issuing any gazette notification that would allow Karnataka to proceed with land acquisition, citing ongoing Supreme Court proceedings.

The Deputy Chief Minister, who also serves as Water Resources Minister, expressed surprise at the opposition, noting that Karnataka has been pressing for notification of a decision taken on 30 December 2010, which allowed utilisation of water from 177 TMC to 330 TMC.

The Karnataka Cabinet resolved in September 2025 to acquire 1.33 lakh acres of land in a single phase for the project, with an estimated outlay of Rs 70,000 crore to be spent in three stages.

However, delays have caused compensation costs to spiral dramatically. Land compensation has surged from earlier offers of Rs 8-9 lakh per acre under the previous government to current rates of Rs 35-40 lakh per acre, with some court awards reaching Rs 10 crore due to litigation.

Around Rs 20,000 crore has already been spent on the project.

Shivakumar stated that a Central committee has submitted a report confirming that increasing the dam height to 524 metres would not cause flooding in neighbouring states.

The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal, headed by Justice Brijesh Kumar, permitted the height increase in 2010 after hearing arguments from Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, but the Centre has yet to issue the final gazette notification implementing the verdict.

The Deputy Chief Minister announced plans to lead an all-party delegation to Delhi and send detailed records to Karnataka's MPs ahead of Parliament's Budget Session beginning on 10 March.

He emphasised the need to build pressure on the Prime Minister and Union Jal Shakti Minister, asserting that Karnataka has the right to acquire land within its territory to implement approved projects despite opposition from neighbouring states.

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