Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Jan 11: "We have now been able to meet demand for water from agriculturists through the second phase of Varahi project because of the fact that the present Congress government in the state led by Siddaramaiah provided thrust to this long-pending project. This only major irrigation project of Udupi district, which was initiated in 1983 for meeting water requirement of the fields in the district, was moving slowly till then," said Udupi district in-charge minister, Vinay Kumar Sorake.

He was speaking after initiating the programme of releasing water to irrigate fields for the summer season at a function held on Sunday January 10 evening. The programme was organized at Bharatkal in Kullanje village in the taluk.

"On account of certain issues, the work of feeding water to canals of the project had not been possible for several decades. Forest department's clearance to use 268 hectares of forest land for the project was also one of the major issues. As the then MP of this constituency, I made honest efforts towards getting this permission, as a result of which the state could get permission to use 129.3 hectares of forest land for this project. On account of interest evinced by Oscar Fernandes, Rajya Sabha member, technical problems faced by several departments in the state governments have been solved. The state government is committed to meeting drinking water and irrigation needs of farmers," he explained.

Byndoor MLA, K Gopal Poojary, presided over the function. Former MLA, U R Sabhapaty, zilla panchayat member, Mamata R Shetty, president of Shankarnarayana gram panchayat, Sadashiva Shetty, Halady gram panchayat president, Sarvotham Hegde, and former taluk panchayat member, Sampigedi Sanjeev Shetty participated as guests.

In-charge chief engineer of Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd, M Venugopal, delivered introductory address. Executive engineer, Vishwendramurty, welcomed. Anusuya Bhat rendered the prayer. Sadananda Kalmadi proposed vote of thanks. A S Ramakrishnaiah presented the programme.