Amrut Sarovar Yojana helps solve drinking water problem in Karnataka

DHARWAD: The Amrut Sarovar Yojana launched to mark 75 years of India’s independence has helped free villages from acute drinking water problem. Funded by the Central government, the scheme envisages rejuvenation of tanks in villages that face acute shortage of drinking water.
Each district has been tasked with rejuvenation of 75 tanks. In Dharwad district, 14 tanks in each taluk have been identified for rejuvenation. Even though Devalingikoppa in Kalghtagi taluk of Dharwad district falls in Malnad belt, it was facing acute shortage of drinking water. The zilla panchayat had taken up rejuvenation of its under MGNREGA. The capacity of the tank spread over 5.15 acres has been enhanced from 27,000 cusecs to 37,000 cusecs after the Rs 18 lakh rejuvenation works.
Dharwad ZP CEO Suresh Itnal said that apart from solving the drinking water problem for humans and animals, the work has helped recharge the underground water table. The recharged borewells are helping save crops, he said.
Farmers in Devalingkoppa expressed happiness over the government’s initiative and said the borewells of 50-60 farmers are fully recharged. “This has helped us go for multi-cropping. Pisciculture is augmenting our income.
The walking path around the tank has made morning and evening walka a pleasant activity,” said Mallappa, a farmer. Itnal said the works on rejuvenation of 45 tanks has been completed and the rest will be completed before the end of financial year.