Kundapura : Minister for Major and Medium Irrigation M B Patil said that the completion of 0-30 kilometers of left bank canal work in Varahi irrigation project would be over within 60 working days.

Speaking to media persons after inspecting the entire Varahi project with its both left and right bank canals and also distributor canals, the minister said the Congress government has taken up Varahi project that remained incomplete for the last 35 years, on priority. The project, which was envisioned to fulfill the needs of the farmers growing sugarcane for Brahmavar Sugar factory, is incomplete despite spending Rs 541 crores of funds till date. He added that there is a need for another Rs 300-Rs 400 crore amount for the completion of the project. Initially, the project was estimated at the cost of Rs 9.43 crore, when it was commissioned in the year 1977-78.

Currently the 0-17 kms would be a common bank canal and the work for the same is over. However, the 0-30 kms which stretches across the left bank canal will be over within sixty days. The completion of 0-30 kms would be able to provide water for 7000 hectares of irrigation land. The work is taken up at rapid pace. However, the work would get over by July 15, if there was no monsoon.

Duration to complete

The minister said that the remaining area of left bank canal stretching from 30-44.35 kms need another one year for the completion. If this entire left bank canal is completed, the water drawn would be sufficient for nearly 10000 hectares of irrigation land. The right bank canal stretches towards 42.73 kms. The total project aims at providing water to around 19,092 hectares of irrigation land. As per the original plan, the project also proposes 33 kms of lift canal. Measures are taken to construct field irrigation canal and also distributory canals adjacent to the left bank canal. The minister added that tender will be called for the execution of left bank canal from 30-44.35 kms shortly. The land acquisition process will be initiated at the earliest.The minister added that he is contemplating over the forming a committee to look into the misuse of funds and also low quality construction works. He assured that the victims of blasts in the region will be adequately compensated.

Vented dams

The minister assured that the proposal for vented dams will be taken up with the chief minister for the discussion. Initially, it was under minor irrigation project, however it is been currently adopted under the major irrigation department. A revised detailed project report will be drawn at the earliest. Around Rs 347 crore is been estimated for the execution of the project, he added.

Stating that the central government offers outstanding support to the rejuvenation of the defunct sugar factories, the minister said that the Brahmavar sugar factory can be revived following the completion of the Varahi left bank canal, only if recovery rate is nearly nine per cent, which is absolutely feasible.