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Title : Need to construct a barrage near the confluence of rivers Arkarathi and Cauvery in Sathnur Taluk, Karnataka.
SHRIMATI TEJASWINI SEERAMESH (KANAKAPURA): Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, through you, I would like to draw the attention of the hon. Minister of Water Resources to the drinking water problem in Bangalore and request him to resolve it.
Sir, everybody knows that Bangalore is the dearest city to every Indian due to its pleasant weather and peaceful atmosphere. This Capital of Karnataka, Bangalore is considered as one of the fastest growing cities in Asia. Though officially, its present population of 70 lakh, yet in reality, it is reaching about 1 crore.
Sir, it is becoming a challenge to any Government to provide sufficient drinking water to its largest population. When Nadarprabhu Kempegowda built Bangaloru, he also took keen interest to build hundreds of lakes to provide drinking water to Bangalorians. But due to the urabanisation and negligence towards the water management in our times, many lakes disappeared, with the result, underground water is alarming reducing.
Presently, the Government is spending thousands of crores of rupees to provide drinking water to Bangalorians. It is lifting water from faraway Cauvery to supply, in four stages. So far, all the previous Governments had spent Rs. 32,000 crore on this greatest measure. During the acute drought year between 2000 and 2004, this underground water level had further gone down and created a lot of havoc to Bangalorians.
I would, therefore, urge upon the Minister of Water Resources to immediately build a barrage… (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Mr. Prabhunath Singh, please keep silence. It is not a meeting place.
SHRIMATI TEJASWINI SEERAMESH : Sir, I would urge upon the Government to immediately build a barrage near the confluence of river Arkarathi and river Cauvery in Sathanur Assembly Segment in my Kanakpur Parliamentary Constituency to supply drinking water to Bangalorians. This barrage can also link Tami Nadu Inter-State Road. We can use it as an Inter-State Road, which would reduce to Coimbatore by half. This barrage requires only just about Rs. 500 crore. By constructing it, we can save thousands of crores of tax-payers’ money.
I would again urge upon the Government to immediately act upon to build this barrage at Sathanur Sangma. Thank you.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Now, Kumari Mamata Banerjee.
… (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Hon. Members, please maintain silence in the House.
कुमारी ममता बैनर्जी : हमको तो मौका ही नहीं मिलता है, that is the problem.…( व्यवधान)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Please have order in the House.