From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jul 20: The much-talked about scheme for diversion of the west-flowing rivers, particularly Netravathi – hailed as the lifeline of coastal Dakshina Kannada district, is all set to be revived yet again with state water resources minister Basavaraj Bommai promising to release Rs 4 crore for resumption of the stalled survey work.

Answering questions from K P Bache Gowda and N L Narendra Babu in the Karnataka legislative assembly on Monday, the minister said the diversion scheme envisaged building dams and canals to meet the drinking water and irrigation needs of the parched districts of Tumkur, Kolar and Chikkaballapur.

With Netravathi and most of the other west-flowing rivers prone to floods during monsoon and the water going waste into the Arabian sea, the minister said several governments in the past had been examining proposal for diversion of the rivers to harness the surplus water. An expert committee had also been constituted to study the issue, which had recommended diversion of the Netravathi and other west-flowing rivers.

Bommai mentioned that the National Remote Sensing Agency of Hyderabad had undertaken the survey work last year. But it could not take up aerial survey last year owing to heavy rains.

Accusing the past governments for shelving the diversion project, the minister said river water could be lifted to the districts at elevated level using latest technology.

Meanwhile, the Upper Bhadra project, now underway, would irrigate 1,07,265 hectares of land in Chickmagalur and Chitradurga districts and feed 156 minor irrigation tanks in Chickmagalur, Chitradurga, Tumkur and Kolar districts for supplying drinking water in the region, he said.

Administrative sanction had been given to the Rs 951 crore Bhadra canal modernisation project, whose estimates had been approved by the Central Water Commission.

Work had been taken up in 25 packages and main canals on a stretch of 271 km of 460 km, distributory and sub-canals on a stretch of 924 km of 1,435 km and 1,711 cross drains of 3,328 had been built spending Rs 45.25 crore. Under the scheme, 1.05 lakh hectares of land would get irrigation facility.