Karnataka - Hubli-Dharwad   

Government's apathy to project evident: Bommai

Staff Correspondent

`Work on Kalasa Banduri Nala Project going on at a snail's pace'

HUBLI: Basavaraj Bommai, MLC, has taken exception to work being stopped on the Kalasa Banduri Nala Project.

In a letter to Irrigation Minister K.S. Eshwarappa, which was released to the media here on Tuesday, Mr. Bommai alleged that the State Government was apathetic towards the implementation of the project.

Although the bhoomi puja for the project was held on October 2 to mark the beginning of work, it had progressed at a snail's pace. Of the 4.8 km of the Kalasa Nala's length, work had been undertaken on about 700 metres and this had also been stopped now, he said.

Mr. Bommai, who is also the president of the Malaprabha Command Area Farmers' Union, has written about the expert's report on increasing the depth and length of the Kalasa Nala at the point where it meets the Malaprabha. According to experts, the length of the canal should be extended to 5.5 km and there was a need for redesigning and submitting the same for approval before the Technical Approval Committee. Mr. Bommai has said the survey on the Banduri Nala had not been taken up. There was a need for realignment and the tender process to start. The fact that the Government had not taken up any measure with regard to the Banduri Nala showed its apathy, he said.

The MLC said the State Government had not taken any step to get the required approval from the Union Department of Forest and Environment for the project as it would result in submerging of some portion of the forest area. Although there was no stay order for the project in the Supreme Court, the State Government had not shown political will to expedite work, he added.

Mr. Bommai has urged the Irrigation Minister to take steps to expedite the work and initiate the tender process for the Rs. 55 crore-work on the nala. Similar measures need to be taken with regard to Banduri Nala and also the Rs. 30 crore set aside for the project in the budget should be increased to Rs. 100 crore, he said.a

He warned that if the Government failed to take the required measures farmers of the Malaprabha Command Area and residents of Hubli-Dharwad would be forced to agitate.

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