In a significant move to address the drinking water crisis in Bayaluseeme, the Karnataka Cabinet on 02 July, 2025 approved an additional Rs 1,900 crore for the Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Supply Project.

The project, aimed at supplying water to arid districts including Bengaluru Rural, Chikkaballapur, and Kolar, now has a revised cost of Rs 23,251 crore, of which Rs 17,147 crore has been spent. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the project needs at least Rs 8,000 crore more to complete and that the finance department has been directed to approve the shortfall.

Reaffirming its original intent, CM Siddaramaiah clarified that the Yettinahole project will focus solely on providing drinking water to over 75 lakh people across nine districts, requiring 14 tmcft of water. Initially targeted areas include Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Tumakuru, Hassan, and Ramanagar, with scope later expanded to support groundwater recharge through lake-filling.

The Cabinet meeting at Nandi Hills also cleared Rs 2,550 crore for Bengaluru division, including Rs 36 crore for a new lake in Chintamani and Rs 237 crore to fill lakes in Sidlaghatta and Chintamani. Additionally, Rs 1,125 crore was approved to set up 31 residential schools for labourers' children, along with two training schools and new community health centres.