The Markandeya dam in the taluk is half filled following the recent copious rains, thereby bringing a huge relief for residents. The dam has been constructed at a cost of Rs 43.22 crore with the objective of supplying water to 184 villages in the taluk.
Though the work was completed four years ago, water could not be supplied from this dam due to scarcity. The then chief minister B S Yeddyurappa had laid the foundation for the dam in 2008. The work was awarded to a Hyderabad-based contractor.
However, the dam had not filled to the brim due to scanty rain. The recent rain has filled this dam to half of its capacity, thus reviving the project.
The catchment area of Markanedya reservoir extends to 19.71 sq meter and it can store 553.61 tmcft of water. Pipeline would be laid for a distance of 14 km from the dam till Tekal village in the taluk. Water would be supplied to the tank in Tekal from jackwell and from there it would wouldflowed to the villages in the taluk through gravitational pull.
The taluk has been reeling under drought for the quite a few years and people were struggling for water. Groundwater has depleted to as deep as 1,500 feet. Water overflowing from tanks in Tekal hobli is reaching Markandeya tank.
Zilla panchayat assistant executive engineer Amarappa Hospet said that once filled full, the tank would provide water to 184 villages for a period of four years.
Published 30 September 2017, 18:27 IST