Mangaluru: Minor Irrigation Minister C S Puttaraju said 10 minor irrigation projects will be implemented in Dakshina Kannada district at a cost of Rs 568 crore.
Speaking to media persons after the spot inspection for a barrage-cum-bridge construction project at Harekala across River Nethravathi at a cost of Rs 174 crore on Friday, he said the works under Paschimavahini project, worth a total of Rs 1,658 crore, announced in the budget during the chief ministerial tenure of Siddaramaiah have been given Cabinet and administrative approvals.
“At Harekala, the dam will be constructed at Adyar-Kannur on the right bank of the river. The width of the river at the proposed site is 588 metres. A total of 51 gates of 10x5 metres each will be constructed according to the plan,” he said.
As the tidal activity is high in the river basin, the seawater enters the river up to 12 km. As a result, groundwater has turned saline in nature. The barrage construction is intended to store the river water before it joins the sea. This will enhance the groundwater level along with improving the quality of water and the stored water can be used for irrigation purpose, he added.
The dam will also act as a connecting bridge between Harekala-Adyar- Kannur villages and will also connect the NH 75. Currently, the locals have been crossing the river through boats, as they have to cover 30 km distance on road to reach Mangaluru. Once built, the proposed barrage cum vented dam would cut the distance down by around 12-km, he said.
The tenders for the project will be invited shortly. The project is expected to be completed within two years, the minister said.
“Discussions are on with the consulting team in this regard towards developing the work as a multipurpose project. NITK former professor S G Mayya is part of the team. The team has been asked to submit the project report in two months,” he said.
Putraraju said that the Minor Irrigation Department has requested Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade to extend support to the department through Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) towards the development of 93 lakes.
Replying to a question, Puttaraju said the state government is stable and the efforts by the Opposition to destabilise it will not yield fruits. The Opposition BJP has been claiming to have JD(S) MLAs at their disposal. It is not true. Had it been true, BJP state President B S Yeddyurappa would not have gone on a pilgrimage. Yeddyurappa will go on pilgrimage till the present government’s tenure ends, he criticised.