Karnataka Seeks Centre's Approval to Raise Almatti Dam Amid Inter-State Objections

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has urged the Union government to approve raising the Almatti dam height from 519.6 to 524.26 meters to complete the Upper Krishna Project's third phase. The project, backed by a 2010 Tribunal order increasing water usage from 177 to 330 TMC, faces opposition from Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, who have petitioned the Centre and courts to block land acquisition and approvals. Karnataka plans to acquire 1.33 lakh acres with an estimated Rs 70,000 crore investment, having already spent Rs 20,000 crore. The state seeks Centre's intervention amid ongoing Supreme Court considerations and inter-state disputes.