Succumbing to pressure from farmers, the Irrigation Consultative Committee (ICC) headed by Health Minister Shivananda Patil announced release of water to the canals from Almatti reservoir from Tuesday itself.
Addressing presspersons after chairing the first meeting of the ICC at the office of Krishna Bhagya Jal Nigam Ltd. on Tuesday, Mr. Patil said the committee had unanimously decided to start releasing water into the canals from Tuesday. He also said this year, they were deviating from the annual practice of releasing water after July 24.
“With Almatti dam receiving a large quantum of water every day, the committee has decided to release water into the canals for irrigation purposes,” Mr. Patil said.
Farmers have been demanding that the government release water into the canals as their crops are withering away owing to deficient rainfall.
Mr. Patil said water would be released first into canals for a few days, and later a call would be taken on limiting the days. He said that while it was a routine to release water after every 12 days, they were contemplating releasing water after every seven days into the canals, based on the availability of water in the reservoir.
The Minister said 95,000 cusecs of water was being discharged through 18 of the 26 crest gates of the reservoir. Along with this, power production has also started.
On canal damage
About the damage to canals, which is causing huge loss of water, the Minister said he has brought the matter to the notice of Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar in order to get the canals repaired.
To a question, he made it cle ar that all precautions would be taken to ensure Vijayapura city does not face any drinking water problem. “We will not make the mistake committed in the past when excess water was released from the dam for irrigation purposes, causing acute drinking water problem subsequently,” he said.
