BENGALURU: Water resources minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday declined to comment on deputy chief minister Dr G. Parameshwar’s statement about a proposal to draw water from the river Sharavati to quench the thirst of residents of Bengaluru, but clarified that such a plan was pending before the government since a decade.
He told the media here he would not like to comment on the deputy chief minister’s statement as he felt it would be inappropriate to do so.
When asked about a protest planned by residents of Shivamogga region on July 10 against this plan, Mr Shivakumar explained about all issues involved in implementation of the plan. The need of the hour was to supply water to Bengaluru city which accounts for 30 per cent of total software exports of India.
Besides, Bengaluru topped the list in terms of revenue generation in the state. People from across the world were keen to visit Bengaluru in the light of a wide array of industries thriving in the city. Therefore, best facilities ought to be available in Bengaluru, he added.
Reeling out statistics on inflow of water into reservoirs in the Cauvery basin, Mr Shivakumar said the water level at KRS stood at 80.10 ft, against 108.55 ft during the same period last year. Last year, on the same day, water inflow was around 7603 cusecs, as against today’s 669 cusecs. In Kabini, water level was 2257.69 ft, as against last year’s 2282.38 ft. The inflow of water to reservoir was 1294 cusecs, while last year it was around 5000 cusecs. In Harangi, the inflow was only 280 cusecs, as against last year’s inflow of 2642 cusecs. At Hemavati, inflow was 2779 cusecs as against last year’s figure of 4214 cusecs, he added.
MEKEDATU: Mr Shivakumar said the Mekedatu project was yet to receive approval from the Union government. “I have spoken with Union ministers, including Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda and Mrs Nirmala Sitaraman about the issue, who have assured to get speedy clearance of the project. With respect to Cauvery water, the state government was not interested in picking up fight with neighbours. Nor was the state government keen to use its share of water. The state government want to stand by the Supreme Court decision. The Union Government is forming a new department, Jala Shakti, to look into water needs of all states. The Mekedatu issue will be sorted out soon,” he added.
