Karnataka Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy has directed officials to urgently fill vacant Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer posts in the department, while ordering closer technical monitoring of reservoirs and ongoing water infrastructure projects.
The directions were issued during a review meeting on Tuesday on the functioning of the Chief Engineer’s office, the progress of projects and the department’s future work plan. The minister sought information on the activities of the hydrology unit, planning and investigation unit, technical advisory committee, geomatics centre, monitoring and evaluation unit and administrative branches.
Cheluvarayaswamy instructed officials to initiate the process of appointing all vacant Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer positions. The department said the recruitment was intended to support faster functioning and improve the implementation of water resources projects.
The minister also directed the department to give greater priority to scientific data, modern technology and accurate technical studies while planning and executing projects. Officials were asked to maintain continuous oversight of project progress and quality, and to take prompt action wherever required.
Dam safety was a central part of the meeting. Officials briefed the minister on steps being taken to ensure the safety, stability and proper condition of reservoirs across Karnataka. The meeting also examined safety inspections related to reservoir full levels and monsoon water management.
The review included the condition of instruments installed at dams for monitoring and evaluation, as well as the identification of technical problems requiring corrective action. The department was asked to prepare and implement emergency action plans for dealing with situations involving reservoirs, take urgent management measures where necessary and improve coordination among the officials responsible.
The meeting also covered technical guidance, safety measures and rehabilitation-related work associated with reservoirs. Cheluvarayaswamy reviewed the progress of works being carried out under the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project, or DRIP, which covers dam repairs, rehabilitation and safety improvements.
The minister directed officials to ensure that there was no lapse in the safety of the state’s reservoirs. He called for regular technical inspections, maintenance and strict implementation of necessary precautionary measures.
The review was attended by Water Resources Department Secretary C. Satyanarayana. The department’s next steps, as outlined in the meeting, include action on vacant technical posts, continued monitoring of reservoir safety systems and progress reviews of rehabilitation and improvement works.
