Council concerned over delay in Upper Krishna Project

Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar said on Tuesday that discussions on Upper Krishna Project (UKP) will be taken up in the Council on Monday, as the award of the Krishna water tribunal’s order was yet to be implemented.

Replying to questions by Hanmant Nirani and Mahantesh Kavatgimath, Shivakumar said more than one lakh acres land needs to be acquired for raising the height of the Almatti dam and landowners need to be compensated.

People of like numbers are to be rehabilitated. The Cabinet sub-committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara will decide on the compensation, he said.

Governments earlier too have made efforts to implement the schemes under UKP and utilise the waters. The tribunal gave its verdict in 2013 and it is yet to be notified in the gazette, the minister said.

Nirani expressed concern over UKP not materialising, despite the tribunal order. S R Patil expressed concern over 133 tmc ft of water flowing to the neighbouring state. The government should implement the works on a war-footing by arranging funds, he said.

Shivakumar said survey was on to ascertain the amount of silt accumulated in the river after the recent floods in Kodagu district and across the dams in the state. Based on the survey report, steps for desilting would be taken, the minister said.

Replying to a question by Veena Achaiah, Shivakumar said the government was aware of the damage caused by floods. Accumulation of silt has led to river changing course, he said. Veena said inflow to River Cauvery could get affected it silt not removed.