BJP to Raise Navali Reservoir Demand in Assembly Special Session

Koppal: BJP state president BY Vijayendra demanded the government to construct a parallel balancing reservoir at Navali, citing the accumulation of nearly 34 TMC of silt in the Tungabhadra reservoir.

Stressing on the need to ensure a reliable water source for farmers in the command area, he assured to take up the issue during the forthcoming special session.

Interacting with farmers from the Navali reservoir project area as part of the fifth day of the Ballari Chalo padayatra, Vijayendra said the Tungabhadra reservoir was the lifeline of lakhs of farmers but its storage capacity had been affected by the heavy silt accumulation.

He said the proposal for a Navali reservoir had been considered during the tenure of former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa but had not progressed further. The state government should now take a clear decision on the project and provide funds in the Budget, he said.

“An announcement alone will not help farmers. The project should actually be taken up and completed,” Vijayendra said, adding that an alternative storage facility would be particularly important during drought years.

He said the BJP had demanded a special session of the legislature to discuss farmers’ issues when the Ballari Chalo padayatra was passing through Maski. With the government now deciding to convene a special session, the BJP would raise the Navali reservoir issue there, he said.

He recalled that during the previous monsoon, a crest gate of the Tungabhadra reservoir was washed away, resulting in the loss of a large quantity of water.

“In such circumstances, having an alternative water storage facility such as the Navali reservoir would be beneficial,” Vijayendra said.

Responding to allegations that he was pushing for the Navali reservoir for personal or political interests, Vijayendra said there should be no politics over the issue.

“A scientific study should be conducted to determine whether a parallel reservoir was necessary or whether the existing Tungabhadra reservoir could instead be restored by removing the accumulated silt. Desilting could not be carried out when there was water in the reservoir and would have to be taken up when the reservoir was empty,” he said and urged farmer leaders not to be confused about the project.

“There are claims that technology is available to remove the silt from the reservoir. But it needs to be examined how such a huge quantity of silt can actually be removed,” he said.

Vijayendra also assured the farmers that he would discuss the issue with Union ministers.