Foundation stone laid for Kalasa Banduri drinking water project

Kanakumbi, Karnataka, Sep 22 (UNI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa today laid the foundation stone for the long-pending Kalasa-Banduri drinking water project here, despite the Centre keeping the project in abeyance.

The project would cater to the drinking water needs of 11 taluks in Belgaum, Dharwad and Gadag districts, besides the twin cities of Hubli-Dharwad.

The Centre had kept the project in abeyance, following objections raised by the Goa Government, contending that the project would affect the fauna and flora on the banks of river Mahadayi.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Yediyurappa came down heavily on the previous Government for ''neglecting'' the project and said the Kumaraswamy Government had shown the political will to implement the project and was committed to utilise every drop of the State's share of the river water.

Citing the Supreme Court ruling in a case filed by the Haryana Government against taking up a drinking water project in Delhi, he said under the framework of law, the Karnataka Cabinet had decided to implement the project on top priority basis and provide drinking water to the parched areas by diverting 7.5 TMC of water from Kalasa and Banduri Nalas, the tributaries of river Mahadayi, into river Malaprabha of the total 200 TMC of water draining into the sea.

Terming the Opposition of the Goa Government as ''political'', he said Goa had failed to participate in the five meetings, convened by the Central Water Commission on sharing of river Mayadayi waters.

Later, talking to newspersons, Mr Yediyurappa launched a scathing attack on Opposition Congress leaders, accusing them of attempting to spoil the coalition Government's decision to hold a special Legislature session in Belgaum, by being away in Delhi instead of guiding and suggesting the Government on the issue.

To a question, he said the Government had released Rs 100 crore for the Kalasa Banduri Project and it would take another delegation to Delhi to vacate the abeyance.

State Water Resources Minister K S Ishwarappa, who also spoke on the occasion, urged the Centre to clear the abeyance, stating that providing drinking water was the reponsibility of the Centre and it should convince the Goa Government. He also appealed to Goans to cooperate with Karnataka and allow the project to take off.

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