B.Y. Raghavendra, MP, Shivamogga, demanded that the State government allocate funds in the budget of 2019-20 for irrigation and drinking water projects in drought-affected villages in the district.
“Shivamogga, Shikaripur and Sorab taluks are under the grip of drought for three years. It is possible to provide irrigation facilities and drinking water for these villages by implementation of slew of lift irrigation projects along Tungabhadra and Varada rivers nearby,” he said at a press conference here on Wednesday.
Mr. Raghavendra said in November 2018, he and B.S. Yeddyurappa, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, had met D.K. Shivakumar, Minister for Water Resources, and requested him to allocate necessary funds for the implementation of the following irrigation projects – Hosahalli lift irrigation project to draw 0.35 tmcft water from Tunga river to fill 75 tanks in Kumsi and Harnahalli Grama Panchayat limits; Puradakere lift irrigation project to draw 1.50 tmcft water from Tungabhadra river to fill 200 tanks in Talagunda, Udugani and Hosur hoblis; Mugur lift irrigation project to draw 0.359 tmcft water from Varada river to fill 80 tanks in Sorab taluk and Mudi lift irrigation to draw 1.09 tmcft water from the Varada to fill 80 tanks in Sorab taluk.
Urging the State government to allocate funds to kickstart works on Dandavati irrigation project in Sorab taluk and Kalvaddu irrigation project in Sagar taluk for which the administrative approval has already been given, he said that Mr. Shivakumar was also apprised on the need to implement these works.
Break-up of funds
Regarding the fund requirement for these projects, Mr. Raghavendra said, according to the preliminary estimate an amount of ₹1,895 crore was needed for implementation of these works that includes ₹300 crore for the Hosahalli project, ₹885 crore for the Puradakere project, ₹105 crore for the Mugur project, ₹285 crore for the Mudi project, ₹220 crore for the Dandavati project and ₹100 crore for the Kalvaddu project.
