'Land for Yaragol after 4 months'

Encroachment of the govt land meant for project yet to be ascertained, says DC

“Out of the land required for the project, 127 acres belong to private persons and 205 acres is owned by the government. There are no impediments to acquire and handover the government land for the project. However, a survey needs to be conducted to ascertain the extent of encroachment of such land,” the Deputy Commissioner told the members of Yaragol Drinking Water Action Committee, here on Monday.

No shortage of funds
The members met the Deputy Commissioner to submit a memorandum seeking to handover the land required for Yaragol water project at the earliest.
The Deputy Commissioner said that there neither shortage of funds nor dearth of land for the project. However, farmers will have to give their consent for the quantum of compensation that would be fixed. “It would take at least four months to complete all the legal formalities for handing over the land.”

He further felt that any dharna or protest by farmers over compensation would further delay the implementation of the ambitious drinking water project and the Action Committee should transform itself into a facilitator by convincing the farmers. Attention of the higher authorities of Revenue Department should be drawn to the issue, he appealed.

The DC said that the obstacles in implementation of the irrigation scheme has already been brought to the notice of the government. He however directed the Assistant Commissioner R S Peddappaiah to write one more letter to the government in view of the memorandum submitted by the Action Committee.

Earlier, the members of the Action Committee alleged that the land has not been handed over to the project in spite of repeated requests. It was their grouse that while the Union and State governments have released funds the Deputy Commissioner has not been coming forth to hand over land for the project.

Work stalled
The work on construction of the reservoir has come to standstill due to non-availability of land. The project supplies water to Kolar, Malur and Bangarpet taluks and the work on laying pipeline has already begun. But the purpose would not be served without a reservoir to Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board.

The Board, on its part has categorically stated that tenders cannot be called unless the land is handedover. The drinking water problem in the City would aggravate if the stalemate continued, they claimed. CMC president K N Madhusudhan Kumar, vice-president V K Rajesh, councillors S R Muraligowda, Raghu, Somashekhar, Raut Shankarappa were present.