Hassan: The Karnataka government is targeting water supply to Tumakuru by the end of November and to the Kolar-Chikkaballapur region within the next 18 months under the Yettinahole Comprehensive Drinking Water Project, Water Resources Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy said during an inspection of project works in Hassan district on Thursday.
The minister directed officials and contractors to expedite construction and ensure that the targeted 24.01 TMC of water is effectively utilised for supplying the drought-prone districts within the stipulated timelines.
During his inspection of the gravity canal works under Package-8 at Tolalutore in Arasikere taluk, Chaluvarayaswamy pulled up contractors over delays in excavation and lining works.
He said the government had made the necessary financial resources available and warned that further delays would not be tolerated. The contractors were instructed to accelerate the work and prepare the system for a trial run.
After offering prayers at the Ranganatha Swamy temple, the minister said he would seek early Cabinet approval for a proposal to fill tanks in Arasikere through the Hemavathi link.
At Naykanakere Kaval, where Package-6 works had been affected by land acquisition issues involving Forest Department land, the minister interacted with farmers and assured them that the issue would be resolved.
He said a new government order had been issued and compensation would be disbursed within two to three days.
Chaluvarayaswamy also inspected works under Packages 4, 5 and 6 at Aidallakaval in Belur and directed officials to complete the level-reach and cut-and-cover works by November.
A meeting was held on land-related issues concerning 103 farmers, which had remained pending for three years due to objections from the Forest Department. The minister directed officials to take remedial measures and asked the deputy commissioner to provide eligible farmers ₹16 lakh per acre as compensation, besides an ex-gratia payment of ₹2.50 lakh.
Later, the minister inspected the Phase-10 distribution tank at Doddanagara in Sakaleshpur and the Donigal pumping station, reviewing the progress of water being pumped into 17 lakes.
Officials briefed him on the 1.5 TMC of water diverted since March and the capacity of the gravity canal. Chaluvarayaswamy stressed that there was no room for excuses and that officials must focus on achieving tangible results within the deadlines.
Minister Shivalinge Gowda, MLA Cement Manju and MP Shreyas Patel were among those present during the inspection.
