Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL) has been registered as a wholly owned Government of Karnataka Company as per the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 with effect from 9th December 1998.

The Company is responsible for planning, investigation, estimation, execution, operation and maintenance of all irrigation projects . The Company is also entrusted with the responsibility of Rehabilitation and Resettlement of the people affected by the Project. The Company is authorised to sell water and recover revenues from individuals, groups of farmers including those in the Command Area Development Authority, towns, city municipalities and industries.

The population in Karnataka subsists mainly on agriculture. The area, though being subjected to vagaries of the monsoons, has highly fertile land. Making avaliable water for irrigation, the economic picture of the area would be transformed contributing greatly to the development of the region in particular and Karnataka State in general.