Multinational companies have come forward to spend nearly Rs 700 crore under corporate social responsibility (CSR) to develop lakes in Bengaluru, Minor Irrigation Minister C S Puttaraju said Monday.
“Many IT firms have come forward to develop lakes in the city. We’re approving detailed project reports being prepared by the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority,” Puttaraju told reporters.
“We’ve been calling heads of these companies and holding meetings with them.”
Puttaraju pointed out that the Infosys Foundation had already taken up work to develop the Hebbal lake in Mysuru and 100 kalyanis in the temple town of Melkote.
“Since DPRs are being prepared, we will know by the end of this week exactly how many lakes in Bengaluru will be covered under CSR,” he said.
The Minor Irrigation department has sought an outlay of Rs 3,000 crore in the 2019-20 budget, Puttaraju said.
“Our budget proposals are mainly focussed on filling up lakes with river sources. Also, we have 89 lift irrigation projects that have stalled and they need Rs 300 crore to be restarted,” he said.
(Published 28 January 2019, 17:28 IST)
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