Bengaluru  : Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa held a review meeting regarding Upper Bhadra and Yettinahole Project and directed officials to speed up the works and complete projects within the stipulated time.

The Chief Minister said that so far, Rs.9003.86 crore has been spent under Yettinahole project and directed officials to take action to release water to Vedavathi valley in the first phase by July end.

Yettinahole will provide drinking water to more than 68 lakh people of 6557 villages belonging to 29 taluks of 7 districts of southern Karnataka.

Declaration of Upper Bhadra project as National project is in the final stage and approval from central cabinet is pending. The matter has been discussed with Central Minister over telephone and it was requested to approve the same immediately. If need be, we will meet the Central Minister personally and insist for approval, the CM said.

During the last two years, Rs. 2362.62 crore financial progress has been achieved under the project. Tumkur, Chitradurga and Davanagere districts will benefit out from the project.

Irrigation projects must be implemented without any loopholes. Stringent action would be taken in case of any discrepancy, the CM added.

Dr. E.V.Ramanareddy, ACS to CM, I.S.N.Prasad, ACS, Finance, Rakesh Singh, ACS, Water Resources and other officials were present.