Multi-village water projects at Kollegal, Hanur soon

 Drinking Water and Sanitation Inspection Committee chairman S G Nanjayyanamath has said that two multi-village drinking water projects will be launched in the district at Kollegal and Hanur at a cost of Rs 342 crore and Rs 60 crore respectively.

At a progress review meeting here on Friday, the chairman told reporters that, “The action plan has been prepared and is awaiting the Cabinet approval. The multi-village drinking water projects at Chamarajanagar and Gundlupet taluks are almost completed and will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah by July-end.”

With regard to people of North Karnataka facing health hazards due to the presence of arsenic and fluoride in drinking water, he said, 90% of the problems have been sorted out after setting up pure drinking water units there.

“The drinking water problem in Chamarajanagar is not as bad as that in North Karnataka districts. Only 14 villages are being supplied drinking water through tankers,” he said.

During the tenure of the late H S Mahadev Prasad as district in-charge minister, 64 drinking water units were sanctioned and 54 of them are already functioning. Works are under progress for the remaining 10 units, he said.

“There was a target to make the district open defecation-free by October 2, 2017, but, 96,936 toilets are yet to be constructed. It is hoped that works will be completed on time,” he said.

‘Not lobbying’

Gundlupet MLA M C Mohanakumari (Geetha Mahadev Prasad) clarified that she
was not involved in any kind of lobbying for a ministerial berth.

In reply to a query on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s assurance of considering her for ministerial post as suggested during the byelections, Mohanakumari said, she is not aware of the same and had not even thought about becoming a minister. There is no question of lobbying for it, she said.

ZP CEO K Harishkumar was also present at the review meet.