Water crisis: Two vented dams proposed at Dharmasthala

Mangaluru: A proposal to construct two vented dams, in order to mitigate the acute water crisis being faced in Dakshina Kannada was discussed at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday.

Dr R Selvamani, Zilla Panchayat chief executive officer who had recently visited Dharmasthala at Kumaraswamy’s behest was informed of the problems arising out of the water shortage at the temple. As per sources, Selvamani has said that Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade had proposed the construction of two vented dams across Neriyahole and across River Nethravathi to tide over the water crisis.

The estimated cost of constructing the vented dams is pegged at Rs 7 crore and accordingly a proposal has been submitted to officers at the Minor Irrigation Department, he said.

The chief minister has directed the officials to approve the proposal and initiate measures to construct vented dams immediately.

Stressing on the need to impound water up to a height of seven meters in the Thumbe dam as against the present six meters, Dakshina Kannada District In-charge Minister U T Khader informed the chief minister that 344 acres of land will get submerged in water if the level was increased to 7-meters. A sum of Rs 130 crore would be required to acquire the land from the farmers, he said

The chief minister reportedly directed the minister to submit a proposal immediately.

He also directed Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil to study the pros and cons of setting up a desalination unit in Thannirbavi beach by MRPL and submit a report.