BENGALURU: Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said the State forest department has agreed to give 500 acres of land for completion of the Yettinahole project.
Shivakumar convened a coordination meeting with Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda and Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Thursday in Bengaluru. He told reporters that the meeting was convened to complete work at the earliest. “Now that the forest department has agreed to give its land, the revenue department is providing an alternative 500 acres to the forest department in a different place. We will complete this procedure within the law,” he said.
Shivakumar said issues related to the Yettinahole project have been identified. At least 20 issues along a 260km stretch will have to be resolved. “A joint survey will be done by the forest department along with revenue and water resource departments,” officials said.
Speaking on land compensation for farmers, Shivakumar said the state government has to pay Rs 51 crore to farmers in a few places, of which Rs 10 crore has already been given. There is some confusion over land belonging to the forest or revenue departments, which will be sorted by placing them before the cabinet.
The DCM said work on the balanced watershed near Lakkenahalli of Doddaballapura is yet to commence and they are gearing up to start work.
“Directions have been given to release water by next month. Under the first phase, work will be taken up on 48km,” he said. They are also planning to set up a high power committee to study water going waste and how to make use of it.