Karnataka: Rs 311 crore has been assigned to prevent saltwater intrusion in the river.

To address a major problem with saltwater intrusion, the government has approved a proposal to build two barrage-cum-bridges across the Sita River in Brahmavar taluk. According to Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat, the barrages, which will be built in two locations in Brahmavar taluk, will help the district prevent saltwater from entering the river.

According to him, saltwater intrusion affects agriculture on the banks of the Sita River, and people are facing a potable drinking water shortage crisis. A proposal to build two barrages across the Sita River for Rs 311.25 crore has been approved by the state cabinet.

The barrage proposal was approved by the government in response to people’s demands for an integrated drinking water scheme, according to the MLA, who thanked chief minister Basavaraj Bommai and minor irrigation minister K Madhuswamy.

Indeed, Bhat and Kundapur MLA Haladi Shrinivas Shetty submitted a memorandum to construct barrages across the Sita River, which runs through the taluks of Udupi and Kundapur. The first barrage is expected to cost Rs 160.25 crore, while the second is expected to cost Rs 151 crore.

According to Bhat, the construction of barrages will benefit thousands of families in nearby villages.

He stated that the government had previously approved Rs 165 crore for the construction of a barrage-cum-bridge across the Swarna River at Uppoor to prevent saltwater intrusion.