Rs 353 crore proposal for development works'

Minor Irrigation Minister Shivaraj S Tangadagi gives a list of devt works proposed for DK, Udupi

Minor Irrigation Minister Shivaraj S Tangadagi said that an estimation for Rs 353 crore would be sent to the government for budgetary allocation for the proposed 337 development works to be taken up in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district.

Speaking to media persons during his visit to Congress Bhavan here on Thursday, the minister said that initially the Paschima Vahini project was designed at the cost of Rs 210 crore. However, it failed to take off.

A meeting would be held under the leadership of Chief Minister during the end of January or first week of February 2015 to discus the feasibility and execution of the project, following which, the CM would be convinced to announce the amount of funds earmarked for the project in the budget.

He said the department receives as many as Rs 1145 crore annually. He said that last year he was successful in receiving the grants up to Rs 365 crore from the Centre. At present, a plan worth Rs 800 crore is chalked out and centre would be approached for the funding.

Stating that the three districts in coastal belt, Karwar, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi comprise of Kharland (salt-water) canals in large number, the minister lamented that Rs 2.50 to Rs 3 crore is spent every year for maintenance. He said plans are envisioned to take up permanent structure in the form of SWED (salt water exclusion dam).

The project is taken up as pilot project in Senapura in Kundapura taluk, which has the vented dam with 87 gates. He said in Udupi district, as many as 27 construction works are taken up at the cost of Rs 4.80 crore under NABARD scheme. The projects would enable irrigation facilities for 166 hectares of farmland. The work will get over by March.

The minister said the blue print for the flood protection walls to be built in coastal districts is prepared. The works would be executed phase by phase. He added in Udupi district, 135 construction works worth Rs 51.10 crore is completed, which provides irrigation facilities to 2804.42 hectares of agricultural land.

Special construction works are taken up at the cost of Rs 5.65 crore to initiate 58 construction works. Under STP programme, 33 projects are taken up at the cost of Rs 3.7 crore. These projects would facilitate water  for 65.7 hectares of farmland, the minister added.

Urban Development Minister and Udupi District-in-Charge Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, MLA Pramodh Madhwaraj and Congress leaders M A Gafoor and Veronica Cornelio among others were present.