Build parallel reservoir if silt removal fails: Vijayendra

Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra on Saturday demanded that the state Government take an immediate decision on constructing a parallel reservoir if scientific desilting of the Tungabhadra reservoir is found to be technically or economically unviable.

He was speaking after the fifth day of the BJP’s ‘Ballari Chalo’ padayatra (foot march), which covered around 20 km and concluded near Marali village on the outskirts of Gangavathi amid a large turnout and enthusiastic reception from villagers.

The day’s padayatra began with the felicitation of teachers on the occasion of Teachers’ Day.

Addressing the gathering, the BJP chief said experts should immediately examine whether the large quantity of silt accumulated in the Tungabhadra reservoir could be removed scientifically.

“If experts conclude that desilting is not possible or is not economically viable, the Government should not delay the matter. Funds should be earmarked in the budget and work on a parallel reservoir should be taken up immediately. Farmers should not be made to wait for another four or five years,” he said.

Claiming that the reservoir is estimated to have around 34 TMC of silt, Vijayendra said the Government should give a clear account of the technology required for its removal, the time it would take and the estimated cost.

He also sought a detailed discussion in the Legislative Assembly on the proposed parallel reservoir, including its initial and final cost estimates, completion timeline and the financial burden on the State.

“Earlier, Rs 14 crore was earmarked for preparing the DPR for a parallel reservoir, but the project did not move forward. The project is now estimated to cost around Rs 22,000 crore. We need clarity on the cost and the financial implications,” he said.

The BJP State president cautioned against cost escalation during execution.

“A project should not be announced at Rs 15,000 crore or Rs 22,000 crore and eventually end up costing Rs 35,000 crore. This is taxpayers’ money,” he said.

Vijayendra said the BJP had pressed for a special session of the state legislature and that the party would raise issues concerning the Tungabhadra reservoir, the proposed parallel reservoir, irrigation and problems faced by farmers in North Karnataka.

“The Opposition has as much responsibility as the ruling party. Our agitation will continue until answers are found to the problems faced by farmers,” he said.

Vijayendra alleged that Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was speaking out of frustration over the growing public response to the ‘Ballari Chalo’ campaign.

He claimed that the agitation had forced the Government to undertake a drought assessment and said Shivakumar’s visit to North Karnataka was a result of the BJP’s campaign. “This is a victory for our agitation,” he said.

Targeting the Congress Government, the BJP leader described it as an “advertisement Government” rather than a popular Government and sought clarification over allegations of irregularities involving Rs 5,000 crore under the “Gruha Lakshmi” scheme (providing Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family).

He also alleged that the “Shakti scheme” (providing free bus service for women) was not reaching rural areas effectively due to a shortage of buses, causing difficulties for girl students, and claimed that the bicycle distribution scheme introduced during the tenure of former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa had been discontinued.

Vijayendra called for major industries to be brought to North Karnataka to create employment opportunities and demanded that vacant teacher posts be filled.

He further alleged that the number of liquor outlets had been increased to mobilise funds for guarantee schemes, while irrigation projects had not received adequate priority and funds under SCSP-TSP had been diverted towards guarantee schemes.

Vijayendra said his objective in meeting farmers during the padayatra was not to win applause or gain political mileage.

“We cannot do politics with the lives of farmers. We are a party that will come to power tomorrow. Therefore, every word we speak before farmers and the media must carry responsibility. We must understand the ground reality before speaking,” he said.

The fifth day of the padayatra saw the participation of several BJP leaders, including former minister B Sriramulu, MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, former MLA Renukacharya, MLA Janardhana Reddy, among others, besides party office-bearers and thousands of workers.