'40 tanks in Tarikere being developed'

As many as 40 tanks of Tarikere taluk have been brought under this project, said MLA D S Suresh.

He was speaking after inaugurating a participatory rural study programme organised by Water Resources Department at Yarehalli village in the taluk.

“Tanks are the lifeline  of rural life. Agriculture and rural life enjoy prosperity only when tanks and bunds are filled with water,” the MLA said.

Focusing on the developmental works in the taluk, Suresh said Rs 15 lakh has been released for the development of the roads in the region. A stretch of 3 km road has been included in the Gram Sadak scheme at a cost of Rs 75 lakh, and the works will begin in a month, he informed.

It has been planned to supply drinking water to Yarehalli village through the pipeline connecting Bhadra river and Kadur road, he said. Zilla Panchayat member K R Dhruvakumar said the repair of the natural tanks in the region will automatically solve the problems in availability of water.

Water Resources Department engineer Lingappaiah said there are 36,000 tanks in the State used for irrigation purpose. About 6.85 lakh hectare land is depended on tanks for irrigation.

The government has released Rs 320 crore for five districts to revive tanks from being destroyed by encroachment and silting. Sri Basaveshwara Kere Balakedarara Sangha President Omkarappa, village leaders Y C Maheshwarappa, Basavarajappa Malleshappa, Vrushabhendra, Y S Eshwarappa and the project engineer Harish Kumar were present.