Water Resources Minister M B Patil said that his primary task is to resolve drinking water and irrigation issues prevalent in the state.
Thanking the party high command for trusting him, he said that he would find solutions to both Krishna and Cauvery issues after considering legal and technical expertise.
He told reporters here on Monday that he was preparing a blueprint to create an irrigation network for about 9,25,805 hectares of land at an estimated cost of Rs 45,574 crore in five years. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wanted the work to be completed in fours years, he added.
Patil said that drinking water is a main issue in Bijpaur district as well as in Chikkaballapur and Kolar. Providing safe drinking water to Bangalore is also a challenge, he added.
He said that micro irrigation through drips would help not only in bringing more lands under irrigation, but also in scientific utilisation of water.
He remarked that land acquisition under stage III of the Upper Krishna Project would be another daunting task. When achieved, Krishna and Cauvery, besides Singatlur, Koppal and Babaleshwar Lift Irrigation, would make Karnataka number one in South-East Asia.
Patil added that he proposed to have a post for an irrigation expert to advise and guide the state government in getting central allocations for projects in the state.
State representative of the Irrigation Department would be posted at New Delhi. Arkavati rejuvenation and MI Tanks filling authorities would be established in the state at a cost of Rs 10,000 crore, he added.
Patil said that though Maharashtra had released about 1.5 tmcft of water through Varna and Kalmmawadi dam, more water will be demanded.
