Mangaluru: A proposal to construct another dam across Nethravati River to quench the thirst of people of Ullal and surrounding villages is expected to be cleared soon by the state government.

The state cabinet is expected to give clearnance to the project during its next meeting to be held on January 10, said food and civicl supplies minister U T Khader.

The new dam will come up between Arekala and Adyar, about 5kms downstream Thumbe vented dam.

The minister said that the new dam will be constructed exclusively to meet the drinking water requirements of Mangaluru constituency under the Pashchima Vahini scheme at an estimated cost of Rs 170 crore. It will be a barrage cum road project, Khader said, adding that a 7 meter wide road will also be constructed atop the dam.

“Our aim is to introduce a comprehensive drinking water scheme for Mangaluru constituency with a special emphasis on increasing the groundwater table. The construction of the dam will also recharge the water sources in the region. A proposal in this regard has been cleared by the minor irrigation department and the same will be discussed in the next cabinet meeting,” Khader added.

At present, Ullal town and surrounding places in Mangaluru constituency get 1MGD of water from Thumbe vented dam. “Since the demand for water is on the rise in Mangaluru constituency, we have to look for more water sources.

A survey has already been conducted for the new dam and a rough estimate is ready. A detailed project report will be prepared and the process of floating tenders will begin after the proposal gets the cabinet approval. Later, the supply network and other related works will be planned based on the requirement,” he said.