Govt may scrap impact studies to cut project delays

Taking into consideration key drinking water and infrastructure projects being stalled due to delays in preparation of social impact assessment studies (SIA), the government is looking at sidestepping the entire process.

During a meeting to discuss the land acquisition status for projects including Hemavathi, Yettinahole and Yagachi, officials on Wednesday highlighted the difficulties in implementing big projects to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

Kumaraswamy is learnt to have sought the opinion of Advocate General Uday Holla in this regard. He also assured officials that a special land acquisition officer will be appointed for implementing the Yettinahole drinking water project, which has witnessed several extended deadlines owing to land issues.

The chief minister also directed the Survey Settlement and Land Records department to look into the land encroachments in the Hemavathi catchment area and clear the same immediately.