HASSAN: With the water level touching the maximum level of 964.59 metres in the Yagachi reservoir, 5.77 tmcft of "excess" water has been discharged into the Hemavathi in the past three months.

This raises pertinent question about the dam as the quantum of water discharged is one-and-a-half times the storage capacity of the reservoir (3.60 tmcft), according to sources in the Dam Division.

Water level in the reservoir near Belur in Hassan district, which became operational three years ago, touched the maximum level for the first time this year.

The reservoir received an inflow of 9.327 tmcft of water from June 1 to October 17.

While 5.086 tmcft of water has been released into the Yagachi left bank canal, 0.556 tmcft of water is being released to Belur and Chikmagalur to supply drinking water, sources added.

Allegation

Farmers of Halebeed and Madihalli allege that owing to the failure of the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd. in completing work on the Yagachi left bank canal and other lift irrigation schemes as promised, the Irrigation Department could not make use of the "excess" water.

A senior official in the Yagachi Dam Division admitted that though the reservoir was planned to irrigate 37,000 acres, only 9,500 acres has been brought under irrigation because of the non-availability of funds to complete the canal works.

The excess water could have been used to supply 0.436 tmcft of water needed for the Halebeedu-Madihalli lift irrigation scheme if it had been completed.

Stop-lock gates

He also said that work on fixing stop-lock gates and cranes is under progress, and will be completed in the next two months. These gates can be used while repairing the crest gates. Pending civil works on the reservoir and work on the Yagachi left bank canal are also progressing, and Rs. 24 crores has been earmarked for the purpose, he added. Tenders have been invited for developing a park in front of the reservoir.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail