MANDYA: The Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam near Srirangapatna has set a record of sorts for the first time since its construction by maintaining the water level at the maximum level of 124 feet for a continuous 156 days. This has come as cheer for the ruling dispensation which had been the target of opposition barbs over release of Cauvery water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
The KRS dam if the lifeline of the Old Mysore region including Bengaluru city, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Mandya, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar district and people depend on it for drinking water and irrigation. About three years ago, the water level in the dam had depleted due to drought conditions which prevailed for two years, raising concern among farmers. However, the present situation has brought cheer, both for farmers and the government.
During the last Lok Sabha elections, the BJP and JD(S) had targeted the Congress over the drought issue, resulting in the Congress candidates losing in the Cauvery basin areas. This year, despite releasing water to Tamil Nadu, the water level has been maintained in the dam at maximum capacity and there is no shortage of water either for drinking or irrigation.
The Cauvery irrigation consultation committee, which met on Tuesday, has decided to provide water for irrigating crops even during the summer months. Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy said, “The BJP and JD(S) had made it a political tool to attack us saying that there are no rains when the Congress comes to power. From the time the KRS dam was built, it has set a record for the first time this year by maintaining the maximum storage level for a continuous 156 days. This should be a proper response to their criticism”.