'Rs.550 cr. more required for completing Hemavathy projects'

By Our Staff Correspondent

GORUR, AUG. 29. The 19 lift irrigation projects in the Hemavathy backwaters, river and canal are in various stages of progress, according to Mr. G.Laxman Rao, Project Chief Engineer, here on Tuesday.

Mr. Rao, who visited the Hemavathy Reservoir, said that lack of adequate funding had hampered the early completion of the projects and it would be some time before they were completed.

He noted that an estimated Rs.550 crores were needed for these projects. This sum would include remodelling of some original projects. The budgetary allocation, including administrative expenses for the project this year, was Rs.47 crores.

Lift irrigation projects cost more compared to flow irrigation mainly on account of overheads in the form of electricity charges, he said.

When completed, these projects could irrigate 45,000 acres in the district in addition to the 6.5 lakh acres under the Hemavathy Project taking the irrigable area to seven-lakh acres. Asked about the breach in a balancing tank in Arkalgud taluk because of discharge of water in the canal, he said that efforts were on to plug the leak.

Giving details of the zone controlled by him, Mr. Rao noted that various works worth Rs.700 crores were pending. On the maintenance of Gorur Road leading to the reservoir, he said that the department did not have enough funds and that it had been brought to the notice of the Public Works Department.

He noted that in the implementation stage of the project, separate budgetary allocation had been made on this count as the department had to move heavy machinery along the road to the dam site. He noted that this had been stopped now and added that a proposal for Rs.75 lakhs had been sent to NABARD.

Asked about the carrying out work on the Yagachi Irrigation Canal up to its original design of 100 km as was being demanded by the Yagachi Neeravari Horatta Samithi, he said that the Government had taken a decision to terminate work at 83 km. Irrigation facility for the rest would be provided through the Anjaneyapura Lift Irrigation Project, he said.

Water level

The reservoir was filled up to 2920.2 feet against maximum storage capacity of 2922 feet. Water had been let out through the partially opened crest gates following heavy inflow into the reservoir.

The authorities have issued a flood warning to people living downstream. Water is also being released into various distributary canals for irrigation and a watch is being kept on the inflow.

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Section  : Southern States
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