Plans for a new reservoir in Babanagar, says Minister

The State government plans to construct a reservoir of around 0.8 tmcft. impounding capacity in order to fully utilise Karnataka’s share of water allocated under the Tubachi Babaleswar irrigation project.

A comprehensive project report will be prepared and submitted to the government for the construction of the reservoir on government land near Babanagar, Vijayapura district in charge Minister M.B. Patil said on Sunday.

He was speaking to reporters after inspecting the proposed project area near Babanagar. He interacted with officials and farmer leaders from surrounding areas. He said finer details will be worked out and minor technical problems would be rectified after consulting various stake holders including farmers.

“Although there is 5.5 tmc of water under the Tubachi Babaleswar project, it has not been possible to use it completely. In order to make good use of this water in the summer and to fill the lakes and streams, a plan has been made to store water in the reservoir during the rainy season and provide water to the lakes and streams during the summer. Hence the need for another reservoir of around 0.8 tmcft.,’’ he said. “There is around 500 acres of government land available in Babanagar and no need for land acquisition. We will also be harnessing the gradient of land and storing water using gravity. We have convinced the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to release funds in the next Budget,” Mr. Patil said.

He said the State government had spent over ₹3,600 crore on the Tubachi Babaleshwar project and for filling tanks and lakes in 2013-2018. This benefited over 1.3 lakh acres of land around Kanamadi, Babanagar, Bijjaragi, Tikota taluk, and Savalagi taluk. Farmers were benefited as ground water levels increased.

Senior officers like KNNL superintend engineer B.R. Rathod, assistant executive engineer Ambanna, irrigation expert Huggi, and others were present.