The Hindu 27.11.2010
Drinking water project for MM Hills cleared
Muralidhara Khajane
|
A 21-km pipeline will be drawn from the Cauvery for it |
The Rs. 27.5-crore project was envisaged
by S.M. Krishna when he was Chief Minister
The project was delayed because of
objection by the MoEF
MYSORE: With the Environmental Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union
Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) granting permission to draw a
21-km pipeline from the Cauvery, a major hurdle to the Rs. 27.5- crore
drinking water project for Male Mahadeshwara (MM Hills) has been
cleared.
The Male Mahadeshwara Temple Authority (MMTA) has already deposited
Rs. 13 crore with the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board
and earmarked Rs. 14.50 crore for release based on the progress of work.
The tender for drawing the pipeline has been finalised and work is
scheduled to begin by December-end. MM Hills is famous for the Lord
Mahadeshwara temple, which is situated at an altitude of 3,000 ft and
surrounded by dense forests of the Eastern Ghats. The temple attracts
millions of devotees and nature lovers. However, drinking water is
scarce in the area.
It was Minister for External Affairs S.M. Krishna who envisaged a
drinking water project for the region when he was the Chief Minister.
Mr. Krishna used to visit MM Hills often as Mahadeshwara is his family
deity. The problem of drinking water was brought to his notice on one of
these visits and he directed the authorities to prepare a project to
supply drinking water from the Cauvery.
According to Kumaraswamy, executive officer of the MMTA, the project
was prepared at an estimated cost of Rs. 11 crore. It was decided to
take a contribution of Rs. 3 crore from the temple authority and the
Government would provide the rest. However, the Tamil Nadu Government
objected to the project and approached the court. The MoEF also objected
as trees would have to be cut to draw the pipeline from Palar to MM
Hills. Hence, the project was stalled for some time.
However, Mr. Krishna took up the matter and assured the MoEF of
double the number of trees to be uprooted would be planted, besides
agreeing to deposit Rs. 25 lakh for the purpose. Finally, the MoEF
relented.
Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had also promised that the project
would be implemented during his recent visit to Gundlupet for
participating in the Bhagyalakshmi programme.
