Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Nov 26: Water resources minister, M B Patil, said in the legislative council on Wednesday November 25 that Yettinahole project meant to satiate drinking water needs of districts in the plains would be completed by 2018-19.

"Lift irrigation works connected with the project will be completed by December next year. Other works will be undertaken with assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and completed during the year 2018-19," he explained.

In his reply to questions raised by Y A Narayanaswamy of BJP and JD(S) legislator, E Krishnappa, the minister said that the project was delayed due to confusions over land acquisition process, but works have not been hampered because of this confusion.

He said hat it would be impossible to implement projects if works were to begin only after land acquisition process is completed. Therefore, works were undertaken immediately after notification for land acquisition was issued. "We have already spent Rs 1,598.74 crore for the project. The chief minister has promised to provide Rs 1,500 crore to the project during the year 2015-16," he added.

He said that survey on social ramifications of the project, which has already begun, will be completed soon, after which the project will gain momentum. He revealed that a proposal to acquire land from the forest department has been sent, and permission is awaited. "We are in talks with JICA about financing the project since a year, and talks are in final stages," he revealed.

Patil also added that a proposal to set up Madhya Karnataka Neeravari Nigama is under active consideration for managing irrigation projects in central Karnataka including Yettinahole.