Planning, Statistics, and District In-charge Minister D Sudhakar expressed his commitment to ensuring that water from the Upper Bhadra Project will reach Gonur Lake on an experimental basis by the end of February or March 2026.

Speaking after hoisting the Tricolour at the 77th Republic Day celebration, he also announced that the government would release Rs 200 crore for pending work on the Rs 2,677-crore project. The project, aimed at enabling drip irrigation in 73,946 hectares across the Hiriyur, Chitradurga, Holalkere, and Challakere taluks, has completed its tender process.

Praising the district’s farmers, the Minister highlighted that Chitradurga ranked first in the state for foodgrain production, with 48,682 tonne harvested in 2025-26. He also mentioned the establishment of an industrial corridor near Metikurki in Hiriyur taluk, which will create more job opportunities for locals. Additionally, the government has allocated 1,211 acres of land for the Davangere-Tumakuru rail line, with services expected by December 2027.