From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Dec 2: A meeting of the floors leaders of both houses of the State Legislature will be convened shortly to discuss issues related to implementation of the long-pending Kalasa-Banduri Nala project in north Karnataka.

This information was given to the Legislative Assembly at its Belgaum session by Water Resources Minister M B Patil on Monday.

TheKalasa-Banduri Nala project was envisaged to mitigate drinking water requirements of the Hubli-Dharwad and several other towns in north Karnataka.

In a reply to the debate on the execution of the project under Rule 69 of the House, Water Resources M B Patil said theState Government could not do much at this stage to implement the project as the matter was before the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal.

Except for implementing the project in the available non-forest area of the project, other works could not be taken up till the final verdict of the tribunal, the minister said.

Further, the Union Environment Ministry’s clearances would be obtained for execution of canal works after the Tribunal’s verdict, Patil said.

The previous BJP government headed by B S Yeddyurappa had laid the foundation stone for the project.

As much as Rs 125 crore had been spent on the project so far, the minister said.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the Opposition should not doubt the intentions of the Government with regard to the implementation of the project.
 
“We are committed to protect the State’s interest with regard to share of the river water,” he said.
Patil said members of the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal would visit Goa and Karnataka from December 12 to 24 to inspect the ground situation.

Earlier, Leader of the Opposition H D Kumaraswamy, BJP floor leader Jagadish Shettar, former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, H K Kumaraswamy, H C Balakrishna, K M Shivalinge Gowda (all JD –S) and Basavaraj Bommai, Laxman Savadi K G Bopaiah and others urged the State government to expedite the execution of the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project to ensure drinking water to the cities and towns of the north Karnataka.

Kumaraswamy urged the Government to obtain all required clearances from the Centre to expedite the execution of the project

The JD(S) leader asked the Congress government to take an all party delegation to the national capital to inform the Centre the necessity of early execution of the project.