JOIN USRs 600-cr plan to tap rain water
The proposal entails collection of rain water run-off on hills by constructing check dams at the base. The water so collected will be supplied to households. The project has been conceived keeping the hill ranges in the vicinity of Marakandeya reservoir as a model.
Kolar receives 60 pc of the usual rains every year out of which only 15 pc of water was found to be collecting in tanks and ponds. Environment experts and scientists are intrigued about the desitnation of rest of the water. The project proposes to exploit the potential of rain water that falls on the hills.
Satellite imagery
The state government has submitted the proposal to the Union government. It is planned to conduct an aerial survey and use satellite imagery to pinpoint the location where rain water collects in maximum quantity. The government has proposed to meet the expenditure for this task and has sought financial assistance from the Centre to execute other plans of the project.
The drought-hit district may get a bonanza in the form of the project in the coming State budget if the project gets green signal from the Union government, according to Krishnaiah Setty, the chairman of Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board.
As for using Markandeya reservoir water for drinking purposes, Setty said that only eight per cent of the water will be used for potable purpose. The project has been prepared keeping in view the interest of the command area farmers.
The project was launched due to delay in execution of the Yaragola project. “Even 80 pc of the work was over on the project that could have provided a solution to acute water scarcity in Malur. However, High Court has stayed the project,” he said.
Yaragol project
Replying to a question, Setty said that a sum of Rs 82 crore was released solely for the purpose of purchasing pipes, without calling tender for construction of the dam during the tenure of Varthur Prakash as the chairman of the Board.
Marakandeya reservoir was necessitated in view of the delay caused in implementation of Yaragol project, he said. Notwithstanding the claims and counter-claims, the new project to harness the hitherto untapped potential, if executed without any obstacles, will redress the pestering problem of drinking water scarcity in Kolar district.