The Krishna water advisory committee has resolved to release the water of the river through all canals coming under Upper Krishna Project till March 10, 2015 compulsorily, and based on the need, till March 31.
The decision was taken the committee meeting chaired by Minister for IT/BT, S.R. Patil at Almatti dam guesthouse on Tuesday.
The officials of Karnataka Bhagya Jal Nigam Limited (KBJNL) who were present in the meeting informed that the Almatti reservoir has 89 tmc of water for irrigation, while 24 tmc was available for drinking and industrial purpose. For releasing water through canals, 0.873 tmc water was needed every day.
“The available water would last for till February 28, however, in later days, considering the need and availability, the water could be released in phased manner”, the meeting resolved.
Legislators of Krishna basin who were present in the meeting, said that owing to deficient rainfall in Rabi season, the farmers were largely depending on the canal water, therefore, the officials should make sure that adequate water was supplied to the farers through canals.
Replying to this, Mr. Patil said that despite the reduction of 11tmc of water in the reservoir this year, the government was making all efforts to provide adequate water to the farmers to meet their need.
He, however, urged the farmers minimize the usage of water by not cultivating water-demanding crops. He said that the water could be saved even by repairing the damaged or broken canals, and directed the officials to take up repair works on priority.
On the complaint of local MLAs of Raichur district that the water of Narayanapura dam was illegally diverted by various uses by some people who were assisted by the officials, Mr. Patil directed the officials to install the CCTV cameras at various places of the dam to monitor the diversion.
The meeting also resolved to curb the cultivation of paddy in Narayanapura dam catchment area for saving the water as the meeting felt the several farmers were extensively cultivating paddy, owing to water, other farmers were facing shortage of water.
MD of KBJNL, Kapil Mohan, Deputy Commissioners of Vijayapura and Bagalkot, D. Randeep and P. A. Meghannavar and other officials were present.
