Karwar (DHNS): Soon, a project will be launched to provide drinking water from Kadra reservoir to 41 villages of Karwar taluk which face drinking water problems every summer due to water salinity.

The Gotegali and Keravadi multi-village drinking water projects are helping to provide water to most of these villages. But in summer, the water from local sources becomes unfit to drink as the salty water reaches upto Kadra. This causes disruption in the water supply. This problem persisted for many years and was awaiting a long-term solution.

Thankfully, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to supply water from the Kadra reservoir to Gotegali and Keravadi multi-village project water tank from where it will be supplied to the villages, has got administrative approval from the Union government under the Jal Jeevan Mission. The proposed project would cost Rs 120 crore.

"As per plan, water will be directly supplied from Kadra reservoir to the Gotegali, Keravadi project tanks through a pipeline. Even the Karnataka Power Corporation has agreed to provide water. The tender process has been completed and the work order for the project was given in November. Water supply from Kadra will begin within the next one year" said Rural Drinking Water Department Executive Engineer Prakash.

Prakash said that a pipeline has to be laid from Kadra dam to the multi-village project site. Even on the multi-village water project route (pipes reaching homes), defunct and old pipelines will be replaced with new ones under the same project.

He added that the project will help in providing continuous water supply to most of the villages in the taluk.

As per Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Iswar Kandoo, the problem of water salinity will be completely solved with the implementation of this project coming under the Jal Jeevan Mission. It will also address the problem of water scarcity that these villages face during summer.