1348 new vented dams in K'taka's coastal districts: Min Madhuswamy

Kaup: A master plan for the construction of vented dams across the rivers flowing from the Western Ghats into the coastal region is being prepared. 1,348 new vented dams will be built under this project, said Minister of Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation and Minor Irrigation Madhuswamy.

Speaking at a news conference here, he said the project will cost Rs 3,976 crore and has already been submitted to the government. It is expected to be approved at the next Cabinet meeting.

This is a huge project to provide water to the farmers in the coastal districts from the Netravati and other rivers, he added.

To a question on the dilapidated vented dams in Udupi district, the minister said, the matter will be discussed with the department officials and a Rs 4 crore grant will be released for repairing these dams.

The government is continuing its efforts to amend the CRZ Act. The Act has already been amended by the central government and only the mapping work is pending. The amended CRZ Act would be implemented soon after the mapping work is completed.

Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat, BJP district president Kuliyadi Suresh Nayak, and Minor Irrigation department’s secretary Mritunjaya Swamy and others were also present.