Opposition members raise doubt over Varahi project

Lauding the initiative taken by the CMC, the opposition members in the council expressed their doubt over the possibilities of releasing the Varahi irrigation project supplying water to Udupi town.

Opposition leader in the council, M R Pai, said the programme is useful, ensuring Varahi river water to the town for four months, but the possibilities of success are grim.

There is also opposition from Haladi Gram Panchayat area to a resolution that the pipelines would not be allowed to pass through their village, which is a crucial junction for the project. They are insisting that the Varahi water be used only for irrigation purpose and not for drinking water.

Member Yashpal Suvarna questioned the feasibility of the project. Dinaker Shetty said a detailed study should be carried out before investing a huge amount of money.

CMC Commissioner Manjunathaiah said that he took a delegation of the Kudcemp engineers and other officials and met the Gram Panchayat members in Haladi and promised them problem-free work in the area. The villagers were of the opinion that the pipeline, which is 1.8 km long, would be passing through the only existing road that connects three to four villages.

He said that he convinced the villagers that the pipeline would be concealed and would not harm the stretch. Initially, the purifying unit was proposed to be set up in the Haladi. Now, it has been decided to set it up at Anjaru, adjacent to the Baje reservoir. As only 42 MLD water would be used for as drinking water, the rest of the water would be for irrigation purposes only.