Kundapur, May 31: Minister of irrigation and water resources, M B Patil, on Friday May 30 visited the Varahi irrigation project area and inspected the progress of work. Discussions were held with the officials on the progress of the work and the obstacles faced.
Patil inspected the work on the aqueducts and expressed anguish at the slow pace of work. He demanded justification for the delay in the first stage comprising 30 km. He made it clear that work should not get delayed or postponed as it has happened so far and insisted that the work be over by July 15 and water for the first stage start flowing by then.
He took a written undertaking from the officials to that effect and warned that they may have to pay a fine if they do not stick to the deadline.
Patil visited the jetties, the area where the work was held up, Bharathlal Varahi Etha Irrigation area, and Shankernarayana check dam area. He visited Etha Irrigation Project I progress near Aalooru and obtained information from MLA Gopala Poojary about the upcoming work there.
Legislative council member Kota Srinivas Poojary, Kundapur assistant commissioner Yogishwar, District in charge minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, MLA K Gopal Poojary and Pramod Madhwaraj, Tahsildar Gayatri Nayak, officials of the department of water resources, and locals were present.