The Hindu : Karnataka News : 26 flood-affected villages to be shifted to soon

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Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

26 flood-affected villages to be shifted to soon

Staff Correspondent

Houses to affected families in two years: Naik

Steps taken to issue notification for land acquisition
Officials ready to face any rail-related eventualities

Chikodi (Belgaum District): Minister for Horticulture and district in-charge Shashikant A. Naik has said that steps will be taken to expedite the process of shifting of 26 villages from the banks of the Krishna on a permanent basis.

He was addressing presspersons here after visiting some affected villages in Chikkodi and Athani taluks and reviewing the preparedness of the local officials to provide timely help and relief to the people in the event of floods in the Krishna. He was accompanied by Laxman Saudi, Athani MLA , in-charge Deputy Commissioner Vijaykumar N. Togal and senior officials.

Mr. Naik said the process of identification of land for shifting the villages was almost complete and measures had been taken to issue a notification to begin the process of land acquisition. The Government had prepared a plan to shift 26 villages, including 19 from Athani taluk, on a permanent basis at a cost of Rs. 555 crore.

The Government had initially planned for shifting 39 villages, many of them fully and some partially. These villages are situated in the low-lying areas on the either side of the Krishna in Athani and Chikkodi taluks.

He said houses to all the affected families would be provided and villages shifted in the next two years. The Government recently opened an office at Athani to monitor the progress in this regard.

Earlier, the Minister, who met villagers in Ugar Budruk, Jugul, Mangawati, Manjri, Yedur, Diggewadi and other villages of Athani and Chikkodi taluks, promised them that the district administration was ready to face any emergency situations. However, he urged them to keep a watch on the river and shift to safe places if need be.

Meanwhile, villagers said some of the families had shifted their cattle to the houses of their relatives in other villages.

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