'Rs 374.5 cr plan to construct vented dams in DK, Udupi'

Proposals get in-principle approval from State govt, says MLA

Addressing a press meet here on Saturday, he said that the proposal has received in-principle approval from the State government. For North Karnataka, a Rs 345.71 crore plan has been prepared for the construction of vented dams/salt water exclusion dams across west flowing rivers to provide irrigation to 14,422.38 hectares.

Stating that there are already 202 vented dams in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, he said the proposed vented dams are 463 and 15 SWEDs. With this, about 4.61 TMC water will be utilised. In North Karnataka, the proposed vented dams are 321 and SWEDs are 66.

He said by constructing vented dams across the rivers, it is possible to store surplus water after monsoon in these districts which can be later utilised for irrigation, ground water recharge and for drinking purpose. Salt water exclusion dams check the intrusion of salt water from sea into the river water and also land under cultivation.

So far, 202 vented dams/ SWEDs have been constructed across the rivers at suitable locations in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district. About 28 vented dams are under progress and 19 vented dams for which estimate have been sanctioned, works will start soon. The proposed vented dams/SWEDs include Mangalore—94, Bantwal—91, Belthangady—44, Puttur—29, Sullia—31. In Udupi district—proposed vented dams include Karkala—69, Kundapur—49 and Udupi—56.

Funds

The MLA said that the Centre is likely to provide 25 per cent of the total project cost. The remaining amount has to be borne by the State government through funding agency or through budgetary allocations.

River bank protection

The plan also includes the construction of river bank protection works as these rivers flow from the western ghat from a height of 1160 m at the top to about 92 m at the foot of the Western Ghats and flows through the thickly populated villages before joining the Arabian sea. Due to the high intensity of the rainfall in the region, severe bank erosion takes place causing damages to agriculture land and other monuments situated on the banks of the river. The protection work include providing 15 cm size boulder filling with 30 cm revetment proposed in this sloping portion.  The MLA said since there are no major or minor irrigation projects being undertaken in these three districts, the State government must consider the proposals seriously and work towards its implementation.