Date:18/01/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/01/18/stories/2004011802330300.htm

Karnataka - Belgaum

Malaprabha project works to be completed by April

By Our Staff Correspondent

BELGAUM, JAN. 17. Works taken up under the Malaprabha irrigation project in the current financial year (2003-04) are in different stages of progress with the achievement rate in the first five months of the year being 25 per cent. As against the target of creating an irrigation potential of 2,882 hectares of land at an estimated cost of Rs. 40 crore, only 768 hectares has come under irrigation.

However, the authorities concerned are hopeful of achieving the target by the year ending March 2004, according to official sources.

Of the three rivers that flow through the district, the Malaprabha is in the south while the Krishna and the Ghataprabha flow eastwards through the northern and central parts of the district.

The Malaprabha originates at Kankumbi near the Chorla Ghats in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 793 metres, 16 km. from Jamboti village in Khanapur taluk. It flows towards the east for about 20 km., following which it turns towards the southwest and flows in that direction for 13 km. From there the river flows in the northeast direction and passes through Khanapur, Sampgaon, Parasgad, and Ramdurg taluks. The river turns south near Yakkundi. At Hadagli, it flows towards the north and passes through the famous "Naviluteertha" or peacock gorge. It is near this site that a dam was constructed.

Interestingly, the Malaprabha is known by several names, including "Malapaharini, Malapahari, and Malini". The river also has mythological relevance and is described as a sacred river in "Banashankari Mahatme".

After passing through Cholachagud and Manoli, the river turns towards the north, where it is known as the Uttaravahini. Benakatte, Bennihalla, and Tuprinala streams and several small streams empty into the river near Manoli and to the east of Hole Alur. It is near Koral Kop village that the river joins the Krishna at Koodalasangama at an altitude of 488 metres.

Though work on the Malaprabha irrigation project started in 1960-61, work on the reservoir across the Malaprabha at Naviluteertha near Manoli in Parasgad taluk was started two years later and completed in 1974. The reservoir has canal systems on both the banks.

According to official sources, the reservoir irrigates 1,92,291 hectares in its command area. Work has been completed up to 144 km. on the 150 km.-long left bank canal. On the right bank canal, which has a length of 142 km., work has been completed up to 124 km.

Sources said the Government spent Rs. 48.36 crore on the project in 2002-03 to create an irrigation potential of 3,464 hectares. During the current financial year, the Government had allocated Rs. 40 crore to provide irrigation to 2,882 hectares of land, they added. By August 2003, Rs. 19.076 crore had been spent to bring 768 hectares of land under irrigation. The estimate prepared for the project stood at Rs. 816 crore, of which the Government had spent Rs. 699.964 crore so far, sources added.