Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Announces ₹32.25 Crore Restoration Plan for Kabini Dam.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced plans to restore Kabini dam at a cost of ₹32.25 crore. The 51-year-old dam was constructed in 1959 and is a tributary of the Cauvery river. The restoration work aims to strengthen the dam structure and improve its capacity. The government is also considering a proposal to develop a garden at Kabini dam under a public-private partnership model.

The Karnataka government has announced plans to restore the Kabini dam, a 51-year-old structure located on the Cauvery river, at a cost of ₹32.25 crore. The restoration project aims to strengthen the dam's structure and enhance its capacity, as well as explore the possibility of developing a garden at the dam site under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

The Kabini dam, constructed in 1959, has served multiple purposes including irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and flood control. The restoration work is crucial to maintain the dam's integrity and ensure its continued effectiveness in mitigating floods and providing water for irrigation. The project is part of the state's broader efforts to modernize its infrastructure and improve water management.

The decision to restore the dam comes amidst growing concerns about the effectiveness of dams in mitigating floods, particularly in a warming climate. A recent study [1] highlights that the effectiveness of dams in flood mitigation depends more on antecedent reservoir storage than upstream rainfall. The study also projects an increase in the duration of reservoir storage exceeding 90% of capacity at 3°C warming compared to 1°C warming, underscoring the need for advanced dam operation strategies.

The restoration of the Kabini dam aligns with the government's focus on sustainable water management and climate resilience. The PPP model for developing a garden at the dam site is a innovative approach that can potentially attract private investment and enhance the dam's recreational value.

The project is expected to be completed within the next 18 months, with the government aiming to leverage technology and best practices to ensure the dam's long-term sustainability. The restoration work is part of a larger initiative to upgrade and modernize the state's dam infrastructure, with a focus on improving water management and flood control.

References:
[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/s44304-025-00117-z