Rs.738 crore released for modernisation of Vani Vilasa Canals:CM Bommai

Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)

The State government has released Rs.738 crore grant for desilting of Vani Vilas Sagara canals and its modernisation in order to help farmers of this region,said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

Speaking after inaugurating BJP’s Jan Sankalp Yatra here on Tuesday,he said Rs.20 crore has been reserved for the maintenance of Vani Vilas Sagar Dam,and also initiated steps to strengthen it further.

This reservoir is a tourist place and the government will give permission to create a garden here.Orders will be issued to permanently ensure 5 tmc ft of water under Upper Bhadra scheme.

Upper Bhadra scheme

The CM said the people of this region agitated for 580 days in 2007 and 2008 seeking the implementation of the Upper Bhadra project.But it was neglected by the previous governments.

The previous government headed by Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa and he as Water Resources Minister got the project approved and started a tender process.

The incumbent government has fulfilled the promise of providing water to the district people from the Upper Bhadra project as well as from Vani Vilasa Sagara reservoir.

The State is blessed with rich natural resources but a dedicated leadership is required to take the state on the path of progress.

“Our government has worked out development plans worth Rs.500 crore for this region. Under UGD scheme, Rs.208 crore is fixed of which Rs.104 crore has been sanctioned for the first stage of works.

The government is committed to developing Hiriyur taluk and to provide irrigation facilities to all taluks in the district.

Drip irrigation scheme has been given top priority and irrigation facilities will be provided to one lakh hectares.This region has ISRO and IIT.

The ISRO has initiated steps to conduct the experiment of landing of the reusable rockets in Challakere unit.

Industrial township on 1,000 acres in Chitradurga

Bommai said a place has been identified to establish an industrial township on 1,000 acres in Chitradurga and the work on this will start from January next year.

This project will change the district’s economy as well as provide employment to youths.The government is providing grants for the Tumkur-Davangere Rail project via Chitradurga and the foundation stone will be laid before March next year.

Former CM B.S.Yediyurappa,Ministers,Govind Karjol,B.Sriramulu,MLAs Poornima Srinivas, M.Chandrappa,Tippareddy,MLC Ravikumar and otheres were present.