Udupi: Shivaraj Tangadagi, the Minister for Minor Irrigation said that a pilot project with latest technology – the Salt Water Exclusion Dams (SWED) which automatically separates the salt water from the river water will be introduced at Senapura vented dam near Byndoor, in Udupi district.

While speaking to the media, Minister said that the project costs Rs 12 crore.  If the SWED technology proves to be successful, all the three districts Udupi, Karwar and Mangalore would be provided with this new technology.

At present the gates of the dam are made of iron as there is a chance of rust, it would be replaced by fibre reinforced polymer (FRP). 

He said to maintain drinking water from the natural resources and to develop lakes, the government has released Rs. 1 crore for each assembly constituency which comes under Minor Irrigation.

A sum of Rs. 5.6 crore had been allocated for 12 various minor irrigation works for Udupi district. This included Rs. 1.98 crore for the construction of three-flood protection walls.

Rs. 85 lakh for sinking borewells and digging open wells under the Scheduled Caste Welfare Plan, and Rs. 96 lakh for developing irrigation facilities under the Scheduled Tribal Welfare Plan also has been allocated.

He added that under NABARD scheme, Funds will be raised to construct bridges and vented dams at Udupi district, which included Rs. 1.10 crore for the Udupi Assembly constituency, Rs. 2 crore each for Kaup and Byndoor segments, and Rs. 1 crore for the Karkala segment.
 
The minister said the series of check dams would be constructed in five districts Kolar, Koppal, Gadag, Chikballapur and Bijapur at the cost of Rs 380 crore to utilize the water resources.

Another series of check-dams will be built in five districts of the State, where there is shortage of water at a cost of Rs. 380 crore.

He said measures would be taken to increase the ground water level, he said.