The Karnataka government has prepared a Rs 150 crore project to rejuvenate 500 lakes across seven districts, with the work aimed at improving water availability, groundwater levels and soil moisture amid a drought-like situation, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre said on Tuesday.
The comprehensive project report has been prepared under a World Bank-assisted programme. Khandre directed the chief executive officers of the concerned zilla panchayats to accelerate the works during a video conference on drinking water issues in villages, according to a release from his office quoted by PTI.
The proposed work will include desilting lakes, repairing and raising bunds, undertaking beautification works and repairing canals. The state plans to coordinate the programme with the rural employment guarantee programme, identified in the report as VB-G RAM G.
Khandre said the current lack of rainfall had left several lakes dry, creating a suitable period for taking up lake and canal rejuvenation. He said the works should be completed before the lakes receive water from post-monsoon rainfall.
“If there is good post-monsoon rainfall, these lakes will receive water. This will help address the water shortage that may arise during the next summer. It will also improve soil moisture and groundwater levels,” Khandre said, according to the release.
The district-wise plan covers 68 lakes in Bengaluru Rural, 67 in Bengaluru Urban, 44 in Bidar, 90 in Chikkaballapur, 49 in Kalaburagi, 96 in Tumakuru and 86 in Kolar. Together, these locations account for the 500 lakes included in the proposed rejuvenation programme.
The announcement places lake restoration alongside immediate drinking water management. Khandre instructed zilla panchayat chief executive officers and panchayat development officers to ensure that all villages receive clean drinking water and that water quality is tested regularly.
He also directed officials to investigate complaints of contaminated water across the entire supply chain, from the source to household taps. Officials were asked to take measures to prevent sewage or wastewater from entering drinking water systems.
The minister separately reviewed the implementation of VB-G RAM G works in Bengaluru, Belagavi, Uttara Kannada, Dharwad and Kodagu, where the generation of person-days was described as relatively low. With state housing schemes brought within the rural employment guarantee programme, Khandre said the programme could create employment in both urban and rural areas.
He said the opportunity should be used to reduce migration from parts of Karnataka in search of work. He also directed officials to ensure that workers receive wages within 15 days, warning that delayed payments could discourage workers from participating in the programme.
The next steps are for the concerned zilla panchayat chief executive officers, panchayat development officers and treasury officials to accelerate lake, canal, drinking water and employment-related works, while ensuring timely wage payments and regular water-quality testing.
