₹200 Crore Bridge-Dam Lacks Water, Survey Pending

Mangaluru: The ambitious ₹200-crore bridge-cum-dam project across the Nethravathi River, completed a year ago, remains dry, failing to serve the intended areas of Ullal, Bantwal, and parts of Mangaluru city. Launched in 2020 under the Paschimavahini Scheme, the bridge-cum-saltwater-exclusion dam (SWED) at Harekala is awaiting a crucial survey to determine the submersion area and necessary compensation before it can begin water storage.

Constructed with 51 crest gates, the four-metre-high dam was designed to alleviate water scarcity in the region. It aimed to provide easy access for residents of Puttur, Bantwal, and other taluks to Harekala, Konaje, Mudipu, Thokkotu, Ullal, and even Kerala. However, despite being declared ready, the project has not yet fulfilled its primary purpose of water storage.

Mangaluru MLA and Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khader confirmed that a survey will soon be conducted to measure the area that will be submerged when water storage begins. “We’ve built a dam in Harekala to address the insufficient water availability at Thumbe, given the rising demand. The Harekala dam can draw a significant quantity of water from the nearly 4 km gap between the Thumbe dam upstream and the new Harekala dam downstream,” Khader stated.

He further explained that while all construction work on the Harekala dam is complete, the actual water storage has been delayed pending the survey. “We are conducting a trial run to determine how much water the dam can hold and to identify the areas that will be affected by submersion. Our goal is to maintain the water level at a point that does not adversely affect farmers and nearby residents. Compensation will be provided to property owners based on the survey results. In the future, the storage level can be increased,” Khader added.

The delay in operationalising the dam underscores the importance of comprehensive planning and execution in large-scale infrastructure projects. The survey, which is crucial for assessing the impact on surrounding areas and determining compensation for affected landowners, is a necessary step before the dam can begin storing water. Once completed, the dam is expected to significantly improve water availability in the region, addressing the current shortages and supporting agricultural and residential needs.

The project’s completion and the commencement of water storage will mark a significant milestone in the region’s infrastructure development. However, the current delay highlights the challenges faced in balancing developmental objectives with environmental and social considerations. As the authorities move forward with the survey, the region awaits the full realisation of the dam’s potential benefits.