Karagada drinking water project to be completed by March: Minister

Work on Karagada drinking water project will be completed by March and the minor irrigation department will ensure that the chief minister will inaugurate the project by August, said Minor Irrigation Minister Shivaraj S Thangadagi.

He was speaking in an interaction programme with the farmers, along with elected representatives and irrigation department officers of the district after inspecting Karagada project. The project was started in 2009, at an estimated cost of Rs 4.18 crore.

The officers have said that there is a need for Rs four crore to complete the project. The fund will be released under 47.02 programme and the officers have been asked to invite tender without delay, the Minister said.

Further, he said that there is a need for an additional grant of Rs 10.50 crore for supplying water to Belavadi lake, after the construction of Karagada project. It has been approved to release the amount. It is indeed a record of the sort that the irrigation department has released a total grant of Rs 15 crore to Chikmagalur district, in a day, he said, promising that water will be supplied to Belavadi lake before the onset of next monsoon.

“A project can not be succeeded just by the efforts of the government. There is a need for co-operation and joint efforts of the people. The canal that flows from Muguluvalli pick-up, also passes through a few villages in Hassan district. Responsibility lies on the shoulders of the Chikmagalur farmers to take into confidence the farmers of the Hassan district and ensure that the project does not receive opposition from the farmers in Hassan,” Thangadagi suggested.Meanwhile, he promised that steps will be taken to repair the irrigation canals passing from Muguluvalli pick-up to Karagada. Belur taluk MLA Y N Rudresh Gowda has placed a demand for supplying water to four important lakes of the taluk from the canal, through gravitation force.

MLC Gayathri Shantegowda, District Congress President M L Murthy and others were present.