Water security is seventh guarantee: Karnataka CM

Announcing that the Congress government has decided to ensure water security as its seventh guarantee scheme for the people of the State, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday (August 10) said residents of the parched Kolar and Chickballapur districts would receive water from the Yettinahole project by the end of 2027 as part of the new guarantee.

Speaking after inaugurating various development projects in Malur taluk of Kolar district, the Chief Minister sought to allay fears about the feasibility of the Yettinahole project.

“The JD(S) State president (H.D. Kumaraswamy) may say that the Yettinahole project cannot be implemented. It is a difficult project, but should we not make an effort to implement it? Nothing worthwhile comes easy. We are committed to bringing water from the Western Ghats through Hassan to Kolar and Chickballapur under the Yettinahole project,” he said. Efforts had already been made to bring water up to Tumakuru, he noted.

Filling lakes

The Chief Minister pointed out that 104 lakes in Kolar and Chickballapur districts had been filled through the K.C. Valley project, while work was under way to fill another 65 lakes through the H.N. Valley project.

“We have decided to fill more than 700 lakes with treated water. Our objective is to recharge groundwater, fill lakes and ensure water reaches farmers. We have formulated several programmes to address the water shortage in Kolar and Chickballapur. On August 15, we will announce details of the projects launched by our government with respect to drinking water,” he said.

Model to others

The Chief Minister hailed the farmers of the parched Kolar district for their resilience and described them as a model for other farmers in the State. “The people of Karnataka should remember the farmers of this district. Even when the groundwater level receded below 2,000 feet, they did not lose hope or resort to extreme steps. Instead, they produced milk, vegetables, silk and flowers and supplied them to Bengaluru. They demonstrated self-respect and determination,” he said.