The State government has decided to install telemetry steam flow meters for measuring the availability of water at the Yettinahole drinking water project. This controversial project is being undertaken to quench the drought-prone areas of seven southern districts of Karnataka.
A four-member official team, led by B.G. Gurupadaswamy, Secretary, Water Resources Department, visited a factory in Germany that manufactures telemetry steam flow meters, and inspected their functioning.
It was decided to install the equipment at a cost of ₹3.3 crore at the project site at Yettinahole in the Western Ghats region. Canary Automations Private Ltd. has been given the task of installing the equipment, officials in the Water Resources Department said.
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The government has made the move as per the instructions of the National Green Tribunal and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. While according forest clearance required for the project, the MoEF had stipulated that the discharge flowing into the streams and the water pumped out are to be measured for at least two years continuously to ensure 15 cusecs flow from the weirs on the downstream side.
“In order to estimate the yield of water from eight streams and to comply with the condition stipulated by the MoEF, it has been decided to install advanced telemetry flow measurement system at the project site,” an official said.
Under the Yettinahole project, it is proposed to harness 24.01 tmcft of water from streams towards meeting drinking water needs and filling up tanks for groundwater recharge in Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Tumakuru, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagaram, Chickballapur, and Kolar districts.
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The work on the Yettinahole project lift component is almost nearing completion and it is proposed to commission it, on trial basis, during the current year, officials said.