The plan will allow Karnataka to manage strained water resources in important river basins more effectively.
The Karnataka Integrated and Sustainable Water Resources Management Investment Program will tackle several sector issues including inefficient water use in agriculture.
Irrigated farmland presently sucks up more than 84% of the state’s total water but agriculture only contributes 16% to the state’s economy.
ADB said poor infrastructure and a lack of water-saving technologies result in substantial waste.
The two-phase program will help Karnataka’s water agencies staff to better design effective river basin management plans.
Phase one will be used to modernize the Gondi irrigation system and the second phase will target irrigation improvements in Vijaynagara canals and the Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal.
ADB will provide the funds in two tranches with the first amount of $31m, allocated for the first phase, and the rest for the second phase.
The entire program is anticipated to be completed by late 2021.
ADB regional and sustainable development department principal water specialist Yasmin Siddiqi said: "Inefficient irrigation, rising demand from urban and industrial users, and climate change pose a serious threat to future water supplies and a full plan to manage all aspects of water use is needed to ensure the state has enough water to support families, farms, and businesses."
Image: The two-phase program will help Karnataka’s water agencies staff to better design effective river basin management plans. Photo: Courtesy of Exsodus/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
