Belagavi: Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy on Monday pulled up officials for spending hundreds of crores of rupees on the Ballari Nala project without obtaining forest department clearance, questioning the delay in completing the project despite an expenditure of around Rs 400 crore.
Chairing a review meeting in Belagavi on major irrigation projects under the northern zone of the Karnataka Neeravari Nigam, the minister expressed displeasure over the project remaining incomplete for nearly two decades.
“What has been achieved by spending Rs 400 crore without forest clearance? What is the use of constructing canals without a dam? Who is responsible for encouraging the waste of public money?” he asked.
Pointing out that a dam could not be constructed without forest department approval, Cheluvarayaswamy questioned why work had been taken up without securing the necessary clearance. He stressed that public funds must be spent responsibly and that government officials should ensure their work benefits people.
Ballari Nala project cost rises to Rs 635 crore
The meeting was informed that the estimated cost of the Ballari Nala project, pegged at Rs 135 crore in 2005, had increased to Rs 635 crore.
The minister directed officials to place the revised cost proposal before the corporation’s board for approval and proceed with the tender process only after obtaining forest clearance.
He also instructed officials to immediately transfer land identified in Belagavi and Bagalkot districts to the forest department for compensatory afforestation. Officials were asked to submit details of the left and right bank canals of Hidkal dam, the command area and a brief report on the Ballari Nala project.
Rs 3,650-crore DPR for Hidkal dam upgrade
Cheluvarayaswamy said a detailed project report (DPR) worth Rs 3,650 crore had been submitted for repairing canals under Hidkal dam, preventing water leakage and modernising the irrigation system.
The project is expected to address problems affecting the left bank canal command area, he said, adding that a dedicated officer would be appointed to ensure the works were completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Strengthening of Markandeya dam planned
The minister directed officials to take up strengthening work at Markandeya dam, citing concerns over its gallery being filled up.
He said the state government would press the Centre for the release of Rs 92 crore required to complete pending works.
Experts should be consulted to address water leakage, he said, stressing that the reservoir would not benefit farmers unless the distribution canals were completed. Officials were directed to prioritise canal construction.
He also instructed them to submit comprehensive details of five major projects in the northern zone, including Markandeya, Hidkal and Ballari Nala, by the evening.
Talks with Maharashtra on river water
The minister said the state had received information that Maharashtra was preparing to lift and divert river water between June and October.
In the interest of Karnataka’s farmers, the state would seek talks between the chief ministers of Karnataka and Maharashtra to pursue an arrangement favourable to Karnataka, he said.
State considers comprehensive irrigation law
Cheluvarayaswamy said the government was considering a comprehensive irrigation law to improve the management of irrigation projects and curb unauthorised pumping of water from canals. The legislation is expected to be implemented at the earliest, he added.