In 2006, the then Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy laid the foundation stone for Yergol dam — an ambitious project to supply drinking water to Bangarpet, Malur and Kolar towns and 45 villages. Eleven years on, the pipeline has been installed, but the construction of the dam is yet to commence.
The project envisages storage of 500 million cubic feet of water across the Markandeya river at Yergol area in Bangarpet taluk. Water flowing from this area joins Mettur dam in Tamil Nadu.
The total project cost was estimated at ₹240 crore, but the installation of the pipeline alone cost ₹80 crore.
The non-completion of the dam has cost the district dear as copious amounts of water during the recent heavy rains was wasted. “Had the dam been constructed by now, it would have stored water sufficient to supply drinking water for the next two years,” said K.N. Tyagaraj, a water conservation activist. He termed it a lapse on the part of the government.
B.N. Venkatesh, executive engineer, Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board, said the work would be completed by December next year. “The contractor has been directed to expedite the work,” he said.
