HASSAN: Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL) executing Yettinahole Drinking Water project and hydrologists who have studied water yield in the streams of Sakleshpur, have locked horns over the availability of water to be diverted under the project to water scarce districts in other parts of the state.
A report from IISc, Bengaluru is one among many reports hydrologists are studying to analyse water yield in the catchment areas.
An IISc scientist, T.V. Ramachandra in his report states that water yield in the catchments is only about 9.5 TMC that too during a good monsoon and adds that the inflated figures of water yield in the catchment areas would lead to failure of the water project.
But, KNNL officials firmly believe that they would get 24 TMC of water in the catchments and back their project stating it has been appreciated by premier hydrological institutions of the country including National Institute of Hydrology (NIH).
Exuding confidence that Yettinahole Project would be a success and able to draw 24 TMC of water, Managing Director of Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL), Mr Rudraiah told Deccan Chronicle on Tuesday, “Our project has been supported by the National Institute of Hydrology, Central Water Commission (CWC) too has appreciated our methodology.”
He also spoke of a report of another IISc scientist Ramprasad who has given a favourable report regarding Yettinahole Project.
“A project will fail if there is no water, how can a project fail when there is adequate water.” In response to Mr Rudraiah’s view on the project, Mr TV Ramachandra said, “Let anybody come up with proper evidence on the 24 TMC of water in the catchments.
“My work says there is not enough water to be diverted, I have alerted the state government not to spend funds unnecessarily on the project.”
Pune-based activist Parineeta Dandekar of South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, wants KNNL officials to put the National Institute of Hydrology and CWC views in the open domain so that people can have access to them. “Why are they not putting it in the public domain?” she asked KNNL officials.
