Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Nov 1: District in-charge minister Laxmi R Hebbalkar announced the initiation of a significant project aimed at irrigating approximately 2,500 hectares of agricultural land through the construction of 56 vented dams under the Pashchima Vahini scheme for the 2023-24 period. These dams are expected to cost around Rs 450 crore.
In her address during the Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations at Ajjarkad Grounds in Udupi on November 1, Minister Hebbalkar stated that the district has experienced a 25% deficit in South West Monsoon rainfall, resulting in the loss of paddy crops on about 14,000 hectares of land. Consequently, the administration has requested Rs 11.85 crore in compensation from the government. Moreover, tenders have been issued for the desilting of the Baje dam and the completion of the Varahi drinking water project for Udupi city by February.
Hebbalkar also highlighted the progress of drinking water projects in the district. Out of the 2,47,190 households targeted for piped drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission at a cost of Rs 735.78 crore, 1,92,065 households have already been connected. The multi-village drinking water project, which aims to provide water to 122 villages at a cost of Rs 1,600 crore, is already completed. Furthermore, work is underway to supply water to 59 villages at a cost of Rs 585 crore.
Additionally, Hebbalkar noted that a waste collection system is now in operation in 155 gram panchayats, and 87 panchayats have facilities for dry waste management. The district has aimed to generate 9 lac man-days of work under the rural employment guarantee scheme, and approximately 5.34 lac days have already been completed, with a cost of Rs 32.89 crore. The maximum expenditure limit for individual projects under MNREGA has been increased from Rs 2.5 lac to Rs 5 lac.
In terms of infrastructure development, the district has undertaken 355 road works and 16 bridge projects at costs of Rs 627.37 crore and Rs 69.89 crore, respectively. Additionally, 468 footbridges will be constructed at a cost of Rs 25 crore.
Hebbalkar also emphasized that 2,516 fishermen in the district have received Rs 32.95 crore in loans under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, and Rs 70 lac in loans have been disbursed under the micro-food processing unit scheme. Subsidized diesel is being provided to nearly 800 fishing vessels, mechanized deep-sea boats, and motorized boats, with traditional motorized boats receiving 300 kiloliters of subsidized diesel monthly.
Finally, minister Hebbalkar announced plans to open new Indira Canteens in Kaup and Byndoor, offering affordable food to those in need. The event was attended by MLA Yashpal Suvarna, deputy commissioner K Vidyakumari, superintendent of police K Arun, Zilla Panchayat CEO H Prasanna, and other dignitaries.