Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Apr 20: Deputy speaker of Karnataka assembly, Yogish Bhat, said that the state government has already released Rs 60 crore towards Paschima Vahini Project, which will be implemented in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.

“In these two districts, 13 rivers flow to the west. A total of 2,000 TMC of water flows through these rivers, right from River Kumaradhara to Sauparnika River. Most of this water gets emptied into the sea during the rainy season. For using the water which otherwise goes waste, there is a need to build check dams across these rivers at different places. After persistent demands for releasing of grants for this project in the assembly, the state government has released Rs 60 crore for the scheme. This fund will be used to build check dams in both these districts,” Bhat explained.

He said that check dams facilitate storage of fresh water, which will cater to the water needs for the people’s consumption and agriculture. In addition, the underground water table also gets enriched, he explained. “The chief engineer in the department of minor irrigation has asked for preparations of estimates for vented dams, and check dams to stop saline water from getting mixed with river water, with the stipulation that estimates in each of these districts should not exceed Rs 30 crore,” he added.