Cauvery Phase-6 water project stuck as State Government delays approval

Despite DPR submission nine months ago, ₹6,939 crore Cauvery Phase-6 project aimed at easing Bengaluru’s outer and suburban water crisis awaits state government clearance.

The proposed Cauvery Phase-6 drinking water project, designed to address the growing water needs of Bengaluru’s outer areas and suburban regions, is yet to receive approval from the Karnataka government, even nine months after the Detailed Project Report (DPR) was submitted.

The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has prepared the DPR for the ambitious project at an estimated cost of ₹6,939 crore. However, the state government has not given its nod so far, delaying the next stage of execution.

Under the Cauvery Phase-6 plan, a total of 6 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water is proposed to be drawn from the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) reservoir and supplied to Bengaluru’s expanding urban and suburban regions. Of this, 4 TMC of water is planned to be allocated to major residential developments such as Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, the upcoming Shivarama Karanth Layout, and other surrounding layouts.

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The remaining 2 TMC of water will be supplied based on the demand raised by the Karnataka Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department. This portion is proposed to serve areas including Madanayakanahalli, Hunasamaranahalli, Chikkabanavara, Nelamangala, Hoskote, Devanahalli, Bashettihalli and Vijayapura.

At present, Bengaluru city receives about 29 TMC of Cauvery water annually. The Phase-6 project is intended to create additional capacity to draw 6 TMC more, mainly to support newly developed and fast-growing peripheral zones.

BWSSB Chairman Ramaprasath Manohar stated that the DPR has been fully prepared and submitted to the government, and necessary groundwork will begin immediately once approval is granted.

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Historically, Cauvery water supply projects for Bengaluru have been planned roughly once every ten years to meet rising demand. Cauvery Phase-5 was launched in 2014, and water under this phase was supplied to the city in October 2024. Even if Phase-6 is approved soon, officials estimate it could take nearly ten years for the project to become fully operational. The project will also require acquisition of around 130 acres of land.