Mangaluru : Members of the Karnataka Legislature Assurance Committee on Tuesday inspected the ongoing works on Yettinahole Lift Irrigation project near Sakleshpur, which would supply drinking water to the dry districts.

Committee chairman Rajanna directed authorities to complete the works before the onset of monsoon as a delay would escalate the cost of the project. The team was led by committee chairman N Rajanna and had members S Chikkamadu, S T Somashekar, Lakshman Savadi and others.

The team also visited various places and gathered information. The team later visited Kumbaradi Coffee Estate at Kesaganahalli and inspected the pumphouse, Hemavathy bridge works near Hebbasale village and pumphouse works at Doddanagar village.

Earlier, Rajanna held discussions with officials at a private hotel in the city and sought necessary details on the project.

Rajanna told reporters that the works are being taken up at a total cost of Rs 12,900 crore. Works estimated around Rs 1,800 crore have been completed so far and the remaining works would be expedited, he said.

In reply to a query, Rajanna said their intention was not to inconvenience the people of Malnad region. He said they were working towards providing drinking water to dry districts. The water would be lifted by the end of December 2017, he promised.

A survey has been conducted in Malnad region by a team of experts from both state and Centre who have found that 24 tmc ft water is available during rainy season from rivers, ponds, streams and other water sources, he said.

In reply to a question, Rajanna said measures have been taken to solve the problems faced by coffee and cardamom growers. A package of Rs 118 crore has already been declared for upgrading roads in the region. The second package would be announced soon, he assured.

The private lands required for the project would be purchased directly at Rs 30 lakh to Rs 34 lakh per acre and the deputy commissioner would issue a notification soon in this regard.

In all, 574 acres and 14.5 guntas of lands would be utilised for the project in the first phase of works, comprising 448 acre and 32.50 guntas of private land, 34 acres and 16 guntas of forest land and 91 acres three guntas other land. The authorities have been directed to acquire the lands as soon as possible and handover the same to Visvesvaraya Jala Nigama, he said.