Karnataka - Gulbarga   

`Priority to pending irrigation projects'

By Our Special Correspondent

GULBARGA, JAN. 8. The Minister for Water Resources, Mallikarjun Kharge, today promised that the two major and two medium irrigation projects in Gulbarga and Bidar districts which have been pending for several years, will be completed and water will be released from the next season.

Mr. Kharge, who is on a two day tour of the district to conduct a detailed review of the pending irrigation projects in the region, told The Hindu that directions have been issued to implementing officers to speed up the remaining works in the Bennethora Major Irrigation Project, the Lower Mullamari Medium Irrigation Project, and the Amarja Medium Irrigation Project in Gulbarga district and the Karanja Major Irrigation Project in Bidar district and release water from the monsoon.

Policy decision

He said that the Government has taken a policy decision to accord top priority to all projects that are on the verge of completion and create more irrigation potential in the State. A technical team which was deputed to study the faulty canal network in the Amarja Medium Irrigation Project, which had caused problems with releasing water to the command areas, had submitted an estimate for Rs. 62 crores to take up repairs on the canal bed levels. He said that the report would be placed before the Government for its approval. He said the Bennethora Major Irrigation Project required another Rs. 80 crores to complete the remaining works on the field irrigation canals and distributaries and for repairs. This year Rs. 45 crores has been released to the project and the Karnataka Neeravari Nigam and the State Government will provide additional funds. Mr. Kharge said that the Lower Mullamari and Karanja projects were also on the verge of completion and additional funds required for completing the work will be provided as and when it is required.

Shortage of funds

He said that there had been delays in completing these projects owing to a shortage of funds in the departments concerned. Heavy rainfall last season also added to the delay in taking up these works. However, directions have been given to the implementing agencies to hasten work on these projects and ensure their completion before the deadline.

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