Legislature panel assesses progress of Yettinahole project

Legislature panel assesses progress of Yettinahole project

Mangalore Today News Network

Apr 12, 2017: The Legislature Committee on Government Assurances, headed by K.N. Rajanna, MLA, on Tuesday visited the Yettinahole integrated drinking water project sites in Sakleshpur taluk and reviewed the progress of the work.

The committee members, after reviewing the progress, exuded confidence that the first phase would be completed by December, when lifting of water from the source could be tested.

The members visited the project area in response to questions raised by MLAs N. Sampangi and V. Muniyappa in the Legislative Assembly over the progress in implementing the project which is intended to provide water for parts of Tumakuru, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Chickballapur, and Ramanagaram districts.

Mr. Rajanna told presspersons that Karnataka Neeravari Nigam, the implementing agency, had spent about ₹1,800 crore of the total cost of the project, ₹12,912 crore. “We are hopeful that the agency speeds up the work and ensures that water could be lifted from the source by this December,” he said.

Regarding objections to the project, Mr. Rajanna said the committee was aware of the apprehensions raised by environmentalists. “Some environmentalists have moved the National Green Tribunal against the project. The tribunal has refused to stop it as the project’s objective is to provide drinking water. However, those who lose precious land for the project would get suitable compensation,” he said.

Later, the committee members visited a check-dam site at Kumbaradi village. The chairman felt that the work was not progressing at the desired pace and instructed officers to ensure the work was completed before the onset of monsoon. The members also visited the project sites near Kadumane, Maranahalli and other areas.

MLAs S. Chikkamadu, Lakshman Savadi, and S.T. Somashekhar, KNNL chief engineer R. Cheluvaraju and Hassan Deputy Commissioner V. Chaitra were among those present.

Many people from Kolar and Chickballapur districts, who are demanding early implementation of the project, also visited the project sites along with the committee members. Nearly 400 people from the two districts travelled to Sakleshpur in private vehicles to personally verify the progress of the project.