Caption: Public works minister Satish Jarkiholi visited the irrigation area of Ghataprabha watershed on Sunday to inspect itBelagavi: Amid continuing rain concerns in parts of north Karnataka, public works minister Satish Jarkiholi on Sunday inspected the Ghataprabha irrigation command area and directed officials to release water through the Ghataprabha Right Bank Canal (GRBC) and Ghataprabha Left Bank Canal (GLBC) for another 10 days to support farmers.Reviewing the release of water from the Hidkal reservoir, the minister instructed officials to ensure uninterrupted supply for agricultural activities while minimising wastage. He also directed them to complete canal repair and maintenance works at the earliest and prevent leakages. The additional release comes as farmers have faced setbacks due to the delayed onset of the monsoon.Speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said that owing to deficient rainfall, water had already been released from the Hidkal reservoir between July 24 and Aug 3. He has now ordered the release to continue for another 10 days.During the inspection, officials informed the minister about significant leakage from a section of the canal nearly 32 km away. Following a review, he directed officials to release 1 tmc ft of water, allocating 0.5 tmc ft each to the GRBC and the GLBC Chikodi sub-canal.Jarkiholi urged farmers in upstream areas such as Betageri, Mamadapur and Gokak to cooperate with those in downstream regions including Koujalagi, Yadawad and Gaddanakeri for equitable utilisation of water. He instructed officials to release water for six days to upstream farmers and four days to downstream farmers during the 10-day period.On Saturday, the minister visited Kodliwad in Yaragatti taluk, Koujalagi on the GRBC main canal in Gokak taluk, Mugalakhod Chowki on the GLBC main canal in Raibag taluk, and the Raibag-Mekhali lakes. On Sunday morning, he inspected the pump house of the GRBC lift irrigation project near Ghodageri in Hukkeri taluk.He reviewed the functioning of the pump house, sought details on technical aspects of water supply, and directed officials to prevent water spillage. Later, he inspected canal repair works, leakage points and water flow systems at Ghodageri, Melmatti and Godachinamalki along the GRBC network.
