World Bank-Backed Project To Revive 44 Bidar, 49 Kalaburagi Lakes: Khandre
A ₹150-crore World Bank-backed project will revive 500 lakes across seven Karnataka districts, including 44 in Bidar and 49 in Kalaburagi.
As many as 44 lakes in Bidar and 49 in Kalaburagi district are among 500 water bodies in seven districts in the state identified for revival under a World Bank-assisted project, with the state government preparing a detailed project report for the works.
The project covers 68 lakes in Bengaluru Rural, 67 in Bengaluru Urban, 90 in Chikkaballapur, 96 in Tumakuru and 86 in Kolar, besides the 44 in Bidar and 49 in Kalaburagi.
Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B Khandre said the project would cover 500 lakes, including those that have dried up or are facing water shortages due to deficient rainfall.
“With several lakes having dried up due to the lack of rain, the present period should be utilised to take up lake and canal restoration works,” he said. He directed the CEOs of the zilla panchayats in the seven districts to expedite the works.
Khandre said that the World Bank has provided Rs 150 crore for the project, under which desilting, repair and strengthening of bunds, raising bund heights, beautification and repairs to canals and feeder channels will be carried out in collaboration with VB-G Ram G.
The Minister issued the directions at a meeting in Bengaluru with officials on rural drinking water supply in view of the drought-like situation in the state.
“If the works are completed quickly, the restored lakes could receive water from the post-monsoon rains,” he added.
Department secretary Sameer Shukla, senior officials and the CEOs of the concerned districts attended the meeting.