District in-charge Minister M.B. Patil has said that the State Cabinet has approved the ₹31 crore project for strengthening the Korti-Kolhar bridge-cum-barrage in Basavanabagewadi taluk.
In a release here, he said the Cabinet meeting held on Saturday also gave approval for increasing the height of Galagali barrage at Bilagi taluk in Bagalkot district at the cost of ₹32 crore.
The Korti-Kolhar bridge-cum-barrage was constructed by the PWD in 1977, but over a period of time after increasing the height of Almatti dam, the bridge submerged in the backwaters.
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In the past, the bridge-cum-barrage was used to store water, which was utilised mainly during summer as it could store a significant quantum.
But over the years, silt began accumulating in the barrage which reduced the storage capacity significantly. Owing to lack of maintenance, the barrage had been in a dilapidated condition. With an objective of strengthening the barrage and to augment the storage capacity, a proposal was made to increase the height by 1.8 metres. The work would begin soon after completion of the tender process, the release said.
Similarly, the barrage of Bilagi which was constructed in 1974 was providing irrigation facility to 7,748 acre of land in the past.
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After the strengthening of the barrage, it will have a storage capacity of 1.244 tmcft instead of 0.569 tmcft.