The state government is looking at a project to extract water from underground rivers by going in for deep subterranean exploration.
The project titled ‘Pathalaganga’ has been proposed by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department in association with the India unit of US-based company WaterQuest Hydroresources Management. The move comes at a time when several parts of the state are reeling under severe drinking water crisis due the prevailing drought.
The company has proposed to locate underground hydrological resources hundreds of feet below the ground level and use its deep drilling expertise to extract water. It has proposed to set up 10 such units at different locations in the state. Each unit will be set up at a cost of Rs 12.48 crore.
A source in RDPR Department said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has given approval for the project and it is likely to be placed before the Cabinet soon. It is stated to be the first-of-its-kind project in the country.
The government is planning to introduce a clause in the agreement with the company that no payment will be made if it fails to locate water, the source added.
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