Bengaluru: With water wars building up in the state and the Yettinahole project for diversion of water still a long way from completion, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that available water from all sources will be diverted towards the parched Kolar-Chickaballapur districts.
A couple of days ago, farmers from these districts had besieged Bengaluru creating a serious law and order situation. The CM also announced the formation of a dedicated corporation — Madhya Matthu Bayaluseeme Neeravari Nigama- exclusively to oversee the completion of Yetthinahole.
Corporation to oversee Yettinahole project
If the promise made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the agitating farmers of Kolar-Chikkaballapur is fulfilled, available water from all sources in the state will be diverted towards the parched districts which are covered under the Yetthinahole project.
On Sunday, Mr Siddaramaiah announced the formation of a dedicated corporation- Madhya Matthu Bayaluseeme Neeravari Nigama, exclusively to oversee the Yetthinahole project, and the setting up of an expert committee to examine the availability of water in other parts of the state, which could be diverted to this region.
Speaking to reporters after meeting farmer leaders, Mr Siddaramaiah said he could not commit himself to a time frame for commissioning of the project.
However, a separate corporation would be set up to ensure its speedy implementation. Besides, there were suggestions to examine if water could be diverted from Sharavati valley, Krishna valley and Mekedatu to Kolar and Chikkaballapur to fill the tanks and ensure permanent water supply. An expert committee would be formed to see if water could be diverted to this region.
Meanwhile, the lakes and tanks in these two districts have to be rejuvenated. For this, a coordination committee of various departments would be formed to oversee speedy rejuvenation of tanks and lakes. The water allotment would be priority based in the project.
First, water would be allotted to Kolar district and later to Chikkaballapur. Besides, the government has also assured that the work on STP plants in Koramangala-Challaghatta valley would begin by April this year. Mr Siddaramaiah said that the major apprehension of farmers was about availability of water in Yetthinahole.
The government explained that according to expert opinion, around 24 tmc ft of water would be available. “I think the farmers are convinced about the government’s commitment to implementing the project,” he added.
Farmers leaders Mr Kodihalli Chandrashekhar and Mr Anjaneya Reddy, who were part of the farmer delegation, said that they were disappointed as the Chief Minister failed to a specify time frame for completion of the project.
However, they would hold discussions with the agitating farmers and take a decision on withdrawing their 168-day-long agitation.
