Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Oct 24: The union department of environment has given permission to take up Kalasa Banduri project which envisages drawing of water from Mahadayi river for drinking water purpose.

The central department of environment, forests, and climate change said in its letter dated October 17 to Karnataka government that being a drinking water project Kalasa Banduri does not fall within the jurisdiction of environmental impact assessment notification 2006. Therefore, the centre has said that it has no objection to the implementation of this project.

This clearance has vacated the first ever hurdle in the fight being carried on by the people of Karnataka to exercise their right for drinking water from the said river. The project is purely a drinking water one and does not envisage use of water for hydroelectric power, irrigation, or for routing water to catchment areas.

The union government has said that for acquiring land needed for the purpose, compensation as per Land Acquisition Act 2013 has to be disbursed. The department also has said that the state should make sure that waste products arising out of the project do not harm environment at any cost.

The state will be able to officially take up the project after obtaining forest department's permission, after the central government issues notification as per the Mahadayi 'Tribunal order.

Chief minister B S Yediyurappa, said that the attention of environment ministry's permission would be brought to the notice of the court and steps would be undertaken to begin the execution of the project. Mega and medium industries minister Jagadish Shettar, said that all processes would be completed by December and the state will take steps to see that water from the river is used for drinking water purposes as early as possible.