Relocation of flood-prone villages by March-end

The state government will take steps to shift all the 226 flood-prone villages in the state by March-end. Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa announced here on Monday and said the government would tie-up with non-governm-ent organisations that have volunteered to join hands in this endeavour.

Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for the permanent relocation of the Kongawada village in Navalgund taluk of Dharwad district, which has been frequently affected by an overflowing Benni Halla stream. The CM said NGO Sri Dharmasthala Gramabhivruddhi Yojane will build close to 400 houses for the displaced people.

Listing out the initiatives taken by the state government to help the flood-affected people, Yeddyurappa said, “We will take all steps to build new villages under public-private partnership.”

Referring to the relocation of the flood-prone villages, the CM said: “It is not another village that we will be creating through relocation. It will be a new township with all ame-nities and adequate infrastructure.”

He said that The dream of Mahatma Gandhi and former President A P J Abdul Kalam to develop stronger villages would begin in Karnataka. Referring to the loss that the residents of flood-prone villages had suffered, he appealed to them not to lose heart.

The CM said the compensation being given to the displaced under the calamity relief guidelines was meagre and the issue should be discussed elaborately at the Centre which should lead to a solution.

Yeddyurappa said the government would take steps towards finding a permanent solution to the pro-blem of frequent floods cau-sed by Benni Halla and other streams.

Chairman of the legislative council Veeranna Mattikatti, Assembly speaker Jagadish Shettar, MP Pralhad Joshi, district-in-charge minister Murugesh Nirani and Navalgund MLA Shankar Patil Munenakoppa emphasised the need for finding a permanent solution to the problem of frequent floods caused by Benni Halla.

MLA Munenakoppa appealed to the CM to take steps to build small bridges near Morab, Gummagol, Tadahal villages which were washed away in the recent floods.

MP Prahlad Joshi stressed the need for conducting a comprehensive survey of the Benni Halla and other streams and, chalking out a plan for putting an end to floods in the region. Concurring with Joshi, Shettar hoped that the government would soon come out with a comprehensive plan. The Speaker suggested approaching philanthropists for construction of small bridges.