Date:30/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/30/stories/2006113012900400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Centre clears Rs. 848.61-crore drinking water proposal

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: To ensure potable drinking water to 2,164 habitations in 19 districts of the State, the Union Government has cleared a Rs. 848.61-crore proposal that will be implemented in the next two years.

Addressing presspersons here, Minister for Sugar and Rural Drinking Water Supply S.A. Ravindranath said the quality of groundwater in 19 districts of the State had revealed high content of fluoride, iron and salt. While the fluoride content in drinking water from borewells and open wells was very high in Kolar, Tumkur, Raichur and Bellary districts, the nitrate content was high in Tumkur, Mysore, Gulbarga, Bellary, Chitradurga and Belgaum districts, he said.

The project would be implemented in Bagalkot, Belgaum, Bijapur, Gadag, Bellary, Dharwad, Haveri, Chitradurga, Kolar, Tumkur, Koppal, Chikmagalur, Davangere, Hassan, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Udupi, Shimoga, Mandya districts. The Union and State governments would share the cost in the ratio of 75:25, Mr. Ravindranath said.

Under the project, permanent arrangements would be made to supply potable drinking water to villagers. In some districts, water would be supplied through sources such as river and tanks.