4,650 cusecs released to Visvesvaraya, Varuna canals

After nine months, water was released to Visvesvaraya, Virija, Varuna, Chikkadevaraya, Rajaparameshwari, RBLL and Bangaradoddi canals on Wednesday night.

Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Executive Engineer Basavarajegowda said that a total of 4,650 cusecs of water has been released for all the canals. While the highest of 3,000 cusecs of water has been released to the Visvesvaraya canal, 600 cusecs has been released to Varuna canal.

As the region received heavy rains on Wednesday, some quantity of water has been released to the canals. Based on the rainfall, the release of water will be either increased or decreased, the engineer said.

The inflow to the dam is 8,890 cusecs and outflow is 7,793 cusecs. The dam’s water level is 93.15 ft while on the corresponding day last year, the water level was 97.60 ft.

Watermen protest

More than 300 watermen, who work at the KRS dam on a contract basis, staged a protest demanding release of salaries. They protested in front of the office of Cauvery Neeravari Nigam here stating that they were not paid salaries for the past nine months. They alleged that the contractors were claiming that the Nigam had not released the money to pay their salaries.

An agitators said that even last year they had staged a protest but called it off after former minister Ambareesh assured to regularise their services. But, till date no worker has been regularised, alleged Watermen Association president Shivalingaiah.

Superintendent Engineer Vijaykumar said that the Nigam cannot take the responsibility of the contract workers as they are hired by contractors. “When there is no water in the dam, there is no need of watermen. At present, we have no need for contract watermen,” he said.