K'taka Deputy CM calls meeting with Union Jal Shakthi Minister on irrigation projects 'fruitful'

Bengaluru, Jul 11 (PTI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said his meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil in New Delhi regarding the state’s key irrigation projects was fruitful.

He said the Union Jal Shakthi minister has assured that the Centre would consider the state's request for funding the Yettinahole drinking water project.
"It was a fruitful meeting...We discussed many aspects with Union Jal Shakthi Minister C R Patil including releasing the gazette notification for increasing the height of Alamatti dam and approvals for Mekedatu project,” he told reporters here.
Shivakumar also met with Union Minister for Environment Bhupendra Yadav to discuss the environmental clearance for the Kalasa-Bhanduri project.
“He (Yadav) has suggested an amicable solution between the two states. We have moved the court as Goa can’t oppose this project,” he said.
The Deputy CM further said proposals for new projects have also been submitted by them to the union government.
“We have also submitted proposals for new projects as well. I will travel to Delhi during the Monsoon session and discuss with our MPs how we can exert pressure on the government on these aspects,” he said.
Asked about the opposition to Lakkenahalli dam in Yettinahole project, he said, “There will be opposition for all infrastructural projects, but drinking water needs to be supplied. We are also exploring other options for storing water in Koratagere taluk. We will discuss it with Parameshwara ( Karnataka Home Minister) and place it before the Cabinet meeting.”
The Yettinahole project, officially known as the Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Supply Project, aims to address the acute shortage of drinking water in drought-prone districts of the state.
The project involves diverting water from west-flowing streams of the Western Ghats to cater to the drinking water needs of districts like Chikkaballapura, Kolar, Hassan, Chitradurga, Tumkuru, Ramanagara, and Bangalore Rural.
However, activists have opposed the project, alleging that it poses ecological risks and is unlikely to deliver the promised volume of water.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)