Meeting On Emergency Action Plan For Dams Begins

Jul 9, 2022

Public participation important in conservation of water bodies and dams: Govind Karjol.

Mysore/Mysuru: Maintaining that a great responsibility rests with the Government, the bureaucracy and the public alike in conserving water bodies, dams, reservoirs and such other irrigation structures which were assiduously built by the erstwhile Mysore Maharajas in Mysuru region, Water Resources Minister Govind Karjol said that officials must act swiftly for controlling floods and long-term storage of precious water.

He was speaking after inaugurating the day-long Stakeholders Consultation meeting on implementation of emergency action plan for KRS, Kabini, Harangi and Chikkahole dams, at Kusuma Chandrashekar Kalyana Mantap near Mogarahalli (Manti) on Mysuru-KRS Road this morning.

Pointing out that there are 231 dams and other irrigation structures in the State, Karjol said that Karnataka has 30,66,000 hectares of irrigated land and this area needs to be expanded further by betterment of irrigation facilities for ensuring sustenance of food grain production and complete food security.

Water Resources Minister Govind Karjol speaking after inaugurating the day-long stakeholders consultation meeting at Kusuma Chandrashekar Kalyana Mantap on Mysuru-KRS road in Srirangapatna this morning.

Mekedatu project

Highlighting the measures to be taken for checking flooding of rivers and other water bodies during monsoon or other times of excessive rains, Karjol asserted that the Government is committed for execution of Mekedatu project along Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border, no matter what the objection of Tamil Nadu is.

Stressing on the need for saving and conserving all water bodies, big or small, he reiterated the importance of public participation in ensuring success of Government initiatives.

Sluice gates replaced

Karjol said that thus far, 69 sluice gates of the nearly century old KRS dam have been replaced and works on replacing the rest is going on at a brisk pace. Emphasising on the need for conserving old sluice gates for posterity, the Minister asked the officials not to destroy or disregard them and instead keep them safe in a Museum for public viewing. He also promised grants this year for further development of Brindavan Gardens and the Musical Fountain at KRS Dam.