The Ministry of Water Resources is contemplating building a protective wall for reducing the submergence of villages after the height of the Almatti Dam was raised from 519 metres to 524 metres.
Unique project
The project is believed to be on the lines of a protective wall being built in Norway and sources said that if it materialises, this could be a unique project in India.
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Some 22 villages, about 77,000 acres of land, and over 32,000 families are expected to be affected following the increase in the dam’s height.
The government plans to save as many villages as possible from submerging as then it could avoid relocation of people.
Speaking to
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“The proposal had been mooted by experts of the Indian Institute of Sciences, who believe that it could be implemented effectively.
They are preparing a detailed report for submitting it before a high-level committee, headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The final decision would be taken only after going through the report, its feasibility and its workability,” Mr. Patil said.
He said it was critical for the government to check every aspect of the report and make sure that it is not only cost-effective, but also does not cause damage to people in the future.
Though he admitted that the government was still waiting for the report to be submitted, the Minister believed that such projects could be implemented as they are not an impossible task.
“When a country like Norway can implement it, then why can’t we? Such walls have already been built in countries, which are geographically located below the sea level,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Opposition leaders, including the former Minister Govind Karjol, have advised the government not to take any hasty decision and make every aspect of the project pubic before taking a final call as it is related to the lives of thousands of people.