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Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar said pending works under the Ettinahole comprehensive drinking water project will be resumed within a week.

Speaking after a meeting at Vidhana Soudha on Thursday with ministers and officials from revenue, forest and other departments, he said discussions were held on recent approvals and conditions set by the Central government regarding the Ettinahole and Mekedatu projects.

He said work on the Ettinahole project had earlier begun and water had been released up to Vanivilas. However, the project was halted due to objections from the Union Environment Ministry. He added that officials have been directed to immediately pay a total of Rs 257 crore, including penalties and mitigation plan costs sought by the department.

Shivakumar said the Centre has imposed certain conditions, and officials have been instructed to fulfil them. As part of this, revenue land is being provided as compensation for forest land affected by the project, with around 10 per cent of land transfer still pending. This process is expected to be completed within a week.

Police protection for land acquisition

He said there have been objections to land survey and acquisition in parts of Tumakuru. Emphasising the need to supply water to Kolar and Chikkaballapur at the earliest, he said police protection will be taken to carry out survey and acquisition work. Contractors have also been instructed to resume work immediately after completing formalities within a week.

Revised Mekedatu DPR to be submitted soon

Shivakumar said the detailed project report (DPR) for the Mekedatu project, aimed at supplying drinking water to Bengaluru and generating hydropower, has been revised and will be submitted to the committee soon. He said cost revisions have also been made, and about 5,300 acres of alternative land is to be provided by the forest department. The revenue department has been asked to identify suitable land.

Hope for good rainfall

Referring to rainfall concerns, he said forecasts indicate lower rainfall this year, which may affect water levels in reservoirs and reduce power generation. He said he would visit the Tungabhadra reservoir shortly, where gate replacement work has been completed and water storage is set to begin.

He also noted that as per Supreme Court directions, 177 TMC of Cauvery water must be released. He expressed hope for good rainfall and said preparations are in place to handle excess rain if it occurs.