The work to remove silt from the Neerasagar reservoir (Dummawad tank), which is one of the drinking water sources for Hubballi Dharwad, was initiated jointly by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Mines and Coal Pralhad Joshi, and Revenue Minister R.V. Deshpande on Saturday.
Silt was last removed from the reservoir in 2003 at a cost of ₹4 crore and 7.72 lakh cubic metres of silt were removed from the reservoir bed.
The reservoir, which was filled to the brim in 2009, has not been full subsequently and a lot of silt has been accumulated.
Following deficient rainfall, the water level has reached dead storage level and the drawing of water from the reservoir has been stopped since over two years.
The reservoir which was earlier known as Dummawad tank was built in 1955 to provide drinking water to Hubballi and Dharwad.
Speaking to presspersons after initiating the work, Mr. Deshpande said that the exercise would cost cost around ₹8 crore.
“We approached the Managing Director of Tata Hitachi, Rakesh Singh, on the issue and requested him to take up the work under the CSR funds of the company. Now the company has provided three earthmovers and the work is likely to go on for three months,” he said.
Mr. Deshpande said that the farmers had been requested to take the silt removed from the tank bed (which is considered fertile) to their farmlands at their expense and accordingly several have agreed to make arrangements.
“However as some farmers have already prepared their farmlands for sowing, they may not be able to take the silt. In such a case, the removal of silt might be taken up again in October,” he said. The Minister also said that the Deputy Commissioner of Dharwad had been directed to clear encroachments, if any, in the catchment area and along the path of strems that bring water to the reservoir.
Mr. Joshi said that works for ensuring adequate water to the twin cities will be completed by December. He also said that steps have also been taken to the beautification of the reserovir and to develop it as a tourist spot.
