BENGALURU: With the Yettinahole project limping, the state government is looking at other sources of water to quench the thirst of people of Bengaluru, Chikballapur and Kolar districts.
It is considering bringing water from Sharavati river to these districts as suggested by retired superintendent engineer Tyagaraj.
“We are thinking about taking up the project. But it is still in a conceptual stage. Firstly, we will have to assess the availability of water and environment impact,” Water Resources Minister M B Patil said on Monday.
Sharavati reservoir in Shivamogga gets filled at least six times in 10 years on an average. When it is full, water flows to the sea unutilised as it is used only for production of electricity. “There is a scope for using at least 10 tmcft for drinking, he said.
About Mekedatu project, the minister said the state government would soon submit a report to the Central Water Commission seeking environment and other clearances.
Desilting of Tungabhadra Dam
The minister said the demand for desilting Tungabhadra Dam near Hosapete cannot be met as it is economically unviable. “There is about 32 tmcft of silt in the dam. To desilt it, huge money is required. Moreover, transportation and disposal of the silt will be a big issue,” he said.
The technical committee set up to look into the issue has suggested construction of a balancing reservoir downstream of the existing reservoir or another in the upstream to make up for the loss of storage capacity.