The Budget 2018-19 presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday has paved way for the construction of a vented dam-cum-bridge across the Netravathi between Harekala and Adyarkatte to provide drinking water to areas on the southern bank of the river, including Ullal.
Mr. Siddaramaiah has earmarked ₹ 174 crore for the project to be taken up under Paschima Vahini scheme that was launched last year to build vented dams across West-flowing rivers not only to provide drinking water but also to improve groundwater table.
Mangaluru MLA and Minister U.T. Khader had proposed the dam-cum-bridge to quench the thirst of residents in his constituency, which is witnessing spectacular growth because of its proximity to Mangaluru city and the presence of a number of educational institutions.
The Minister recently announced the details of the project saying that it would be built about 5 km downstream the Thumbe Vented Dam that supplies water to the city.
Mr. Khader had also said that the 7 m-wide bridge atop the dam would alleviate commuting woes of people around Konaje, Innoli, Harekala and surrounding areas. Residents now depend either upon boats to reach National Highway 66 on the northern bank of the Netravathi or on buses that take a circuitous route to reach the city.
The Minister had said, “Our aim is to introduce a comprehensive drinking water scheme for Mangaluru constituency with emphasis on increasing groundwater table.” At present, Ullal and surrounding areas get about 5 million litres per day (MLD) water from the Thumbe.
Sops to fisheries
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister announced providing 35-mm-sq meshed nets in cod end free to 2,500 trawl boats at a cost of ₹ 10,000 each. The move is aimed at preventing catch of juvenile fish and conserve the fish wealth.
The government would also build 10 cold storages for fish sellers to preserve unsold fish at a cost of ₹ 10 lakh for each storage under the Mathsya Jopasane Yojane. The ₹ 50,000-loan being extended to fisherwomen to take up fishing activities at 2 % interest would now be offered at 0 % interest.
Mr. Siddaramaiah also earmarked ₹ 1 crore to conduct a feasibility study to construct an outer harbour at Murdeshwar in Uttara Kannada for safe landing of about 500 fishing boats.
