<p>Kalaburagi: The ambitious project to develop a waterway between Almatti and Herakal in Bagalkot district has been hanging in balance due to a lack of adequate land. The government had approved and sanctioned a fund of Rs 12.2 crore for implementing the project two years ago. The waterway involves 25 km of Krishna River between Almatti reservoir and Herakal to give a fillip to tourism development and business activities under the central government’s ‘Sagarmala’ project.</p><p>The Karnataka Water Transport Board completed the tender process to initiate water transport from the backwaters of Almatti reservoir to Herakal barrage on Ghataprabha River in Bagalkot district. </p><p>However technical issues have arisen due to the unavailability of land along the riverbank for constructing jetties, terminal buildings, parking facilities and other infrastructure. </p><p>The officials are planning to build ticket counters and waiting rooms for tourists, control rooms, and routes for boats to travel from Almatti to Herakal.</p><p><strong>Transport connectivity</strong></p><p>This water transport will help in river tourism by providing transport connectivity to islands in the Almatti backwaters and will attract more tourists. This water transport will also complement bird watching in the bird conservation areas located in various parts of Almatti backwaters. Water sports activities will develop on the banks of Krishna river in Almatti. The arrival of more tourists will provide employment to the locals and this water transport will also help in transport connectivity in rural areas.</p><p>It has been proposed to construct jetties and terminals for boats along the Krishna river bank behind the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Almatti. But, a drinking water jackwell is being built under Jal Jeevan Mission at the place. There is land adjacent to it belonging to the KBJNL Forest Department. A total of four acres near Almatti and 2.33 acres near Herakal are required for the project. The officials maintained that the proposal has been sent to KBJNL seeking allocation of the land, and work will be undertaken once the land is acquired.</p><p><strong>Proposal for land</strong></p><p>There is a plan to construct a floating jetty as the reservoir’s backwater would recede during the summer season. Therefore, the jetty will move forward as the water recedes. However, terminal buildings will be constructed at an elevation above 519.60 metres. A proposal has been submitted to allocate land near the Chandramma temple, situated just one km from Almatti railway station. “The project was sanctioned in 2022-23. The correspondence for the allotment of required land is being made and a proposal has been sent to KBJNL for this purpose. </p><p>“We will provide all basic infrastructure for the waterways and hand it over to private agencies for operation and maintenance. Tourists can enjoy the boating ride in the Krishna river along with witnessing other destinations, including Almatti garden”, said Captain C Swamy, Director of Ports, Karnataka Maritime Board.</p><p><strong>‘Proposal received’</strong></p><p>Meanwhile, Almatti dam division chief engineer D Basavaraj claimed that they have received a plea from Karnataka Maritime Board for allotment of land for the project. Measures would be taken in this regard after holding discussion with the higher officials, he said. </p><p>The locals have sought an early start of the waterway as they feel that the start of cargo service through the route will give a fillip to the trading activities and transportation of crops grown by farmers in Nidagundi taluk and Bagalkot district.</p><p>“The officials of Karnataka Maritime Board, KBJNL and other departments should work in proper co-ordination without making further delay in implementing the project. This will help tourism development as many other attractive destinations, including religious places and islands, are situated surrounding the project venue”, Krishna Theera Mulugade Kshemabhivraddhi Sangh convenor Gundappa Muttaladinni said.</p>
<p>Kalaburagi: The ambitious project to develop a waterway between Almatti and Herakal in Bagalkot district has been hanging in balance due to a lack of adequate land. The government had approved and sanctioned a fund of Rs 12.2 crore for implementing the project two years ago. The waterway involves 25 km of Krishna River between Almatti reservoir and Herakal to give a fillip to tourism development and business activities under the central government’s ‘Sagarmala’ project.</p><p>The Karnataka Water Transport Board completed the tender process to initiate water transport from the backwaters of Almatti reservoir to Herakal barrage on Ghataprabha River in Bagalkot district. </p><p>However technical issues have arisen due to the unavailability of land along the riverbank for constructing jetties, terminal buildings, parking facilities and other infrastructure. </p><p>The officials are planning to build ticket counters and waiting rooms for tourists, control rooms, and routes for boats to travel from Almatti to Herakal.</p><p><strong>Transport connectivity</strong></p><p>This water transport will help in river tourism by providing transport connectivity to islands in the Almatti backwaters and will attract more tourists. This water transport will also complement bird watching in the bird conservation areas located in various parts of Almatti backwaters. Water sports activities will develop on the banks of Krishna river in Almatti. The arrival of more tourists will provide employment to the locals and this water transport will also help in transport connectivity in rural areas.</p><p>It has been proposed to construct jetties and terminals for boats along the Krishna river bank behind the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Almatti. But, a drinking water jackwell is being built under Jal Jeevan Mission at the place. There is land adjacent to it belonging to the KBJNL Forest Department. A total of four acres near Almatti and 2.33 acres near Herakal are required for the project. The officials maintained that the proposal has been sent to KBJNL seeking allocation of the land, and work will be undertaken once the land is acquired.</p><p><strong>Proposal for land</strong></p><p>There is a plan to construct a floating jetty as the reservoir’s backwater would recede during the summer season. Therefore, the jetty will move forward as the water recedes. However, terminal buildings will be constructed at an elevation above 519.60 metres. A proposal has been submitted to allocate land near the Chandramma temple, situated just one km from Almatti railway station. “The project was sanctioned in 2022-23. The correspondence for the allotment of required land is being made and a proposal has been sent to KBJNL for this purpose. </p><p>“We will provide all basic infrastructure for the waterways and hand it over to private agencies for operation and maintenance. Tourists can enjoy the boating ride in the Krishna river along with witnessing other destinations, including Almatti garden”, said Captain C Swamy, Director of Ports, Karnataka Maritime Board.</p><p><strong>‘Proposal received’</strong></p><p>Meanwhile, Almatti dam division chief engineer D Basavaraj claimed that they have received a plea from Karnataka Maritime Board for allotment of land for the project. Measures would be taken in this regard after holding discussion with the higher officials, he said. </p><p>The locals have sought an early start of the waterway as they feel that the start of cargo service through the route will give a fillip to the trading activities and transportation of crops grown by farmers in Nidagundi taluk and Bagalkot district.</p><p>“The officials of Karnataka Maritime Board, KBJNL and other departments should work in proper co-ordination without making further delay in implementing the project. This will help tourism development as many other attractive destinations, including religious places and islands, are situated surrounding the project venue”, Krishna Theera Mulugade Kshemabhivraddhi Sangh convenor Gundappa Muttaladinni said.</p>