Staff Correspondent
Confusion prevails over use of steel in the project
Meeting of officials to discuss the issue on August 16
DAVANGERE: Development work to modernise the Bhadra canal at a cost of Rs.920 crore has been stopped due to confusion over the use of steel.
Speaking to presspersons here on Saturday, Sugar Minister and Davangere district in-charge Minister S.A. Ravindranath, said only 10 per cent of steel was to be used towards modernisation work.
He said he and many other leaders had expressed reservations over such minimal use of steel and questioned how the canal could withstand the force of water if adequate quantity of steel was not used.
He further said that he along with his colleagues had held discussions with Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediurappa and Water Resources Minister K.S. Eshwarappa recently in Bangalore and had apprised them of the situation.
He had reportedly insisted that Mr. Yediyurappa release another Rs.130 crore so that adequate steel could be used in the canal. Mr. Yediyurappa asked Mr. Eshwarappa to go to Davangere and study the requirements. Mr. Eshwarappa would hold a meeting with the officials of the Karnataka Niravari Nigam and irrigation experts in Davangere on August 16, Mr. Ravindranath said.
