Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has intensified efforts to expedite the Mekedatu project, with Water Resources Minister directing district collectors to speed up identification of alternative land required for areas that will be submerged.
The minister held a video conference with district collectors at Vikas Soudha on Friday and reviewed the project’s progress and land-related issues.
5,096 hectares of forest land to be compensated
Collectors were instructed to identify suitable compensation land and submit reports quickly. The minister made it clear that residential areas must not be included and only deemed forest and Revenue Department land should be considered.
The state needs alternative land for around 5,096 hectares of forest land expected to be submerged. The Revenue Department has identified nearly 20,000 hectares, while around 5,000 hectares are required urgently for compensatory afforestation.
Mandya has completed preparations to provide 772 hectares, while surveys of ‘C and D’ grade land have been conducted in 10 districts, including Chamarajanagar, Bengaluru Rural, Davanagere and Vijayanagara.
Joint survey report sought within 10 days
Revenue and forest officials have been asked to jointly survey the land and trees likely to be submerged and submit a report within 10 days. Mandya Deputy Commissioner has been appointed nodal officer for the revenue land process, with another senior officer to oversee forest land.
Additional Chief Secretaries will visit Delhi on September 7, with clarification on deemed forest land expected on September 8.
The minister warned officials against violating Central government and Forest Department rules and said negligence in the Mekedatu project would not be tolerated.
He also ordered notices to district collectors who remained absent from the meeting without prior information.