On the day following the sacred Sri Kaveri Tula Sankramana pilgrimage, MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda performed a special puja at the statue of Mother Kaveri near the crest gate of the Harangi Reservoir. He also offered a bagina in the reservoir, continuing the annual tradition of reverence.
This year, rainfall began in the third week of May and the Harangi Reservoir remains full. In light of this, Dr. Gowda conducted the puja and bagina offering. He later honored farmers from the Harangi Reservoir Achukattu area by presenting them with shawls and souvenirs.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Gowda stated that, as in previous years, special worship is being offered to the Kaveri statue at the Harangi Reservoir following the pilgrimage. Tirtha Prasadam is being distributed, and members of the Water Users Association including the president, director, and farmers have been invited to participate in the rituals.
Although cold conditions have caused crop damage in the backwater areas of the reservoir, the overall rainfall in Kodagu district has been beneficial to farmers, including those in the Achukattu region.
Dr. Gowda announced that development works amounting to approximately Rs. 95 crore will commence in December or January in the Harangi Reservoir Achukattu area. These include modernization of 18 distribution channels at a cost of Rs. 50 crore, construction of a Bouncing Bridge at Rs. 36.50 crore, and road development projects including a 5-kilometer stretch from Guddehosur to Hudugur and the Chiklihole road, each costing Rs. 5 crore.
He also mentioned that road development around the Harangi Reservoir Office and the Public Works Department’s Tourist Mandir has been initiated. Additionally, modernization of the main canal from 6.85 kilometers to 14.75 kilometers on the Harangi Left Bank Canal has begun at a cost of Rs. 72 crore.
Dr. Gowda credited the government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, Minister of Water Resources, for allocating additional funds for the development of the Harangi Reservoir Achukattu area. He stated that the tender process will be completed by December and that construction of the bridge, road development, and Chiklihole road development will begin in January.
He emphasized the importance of preserving the Harangi Reservoir and called for collective efforts to protect the environment. He urged support for the development of mahseer fish in the reservoir basin and advocated for organic farming, cautioning against the release of chemicals into the river.
Dr. Gowda acknowledged the foundational work of former Chief Ministers Virendra Patil and Gundu Rao, and former Irrigation Minister Nanje Gowda, in the development of the Harangi Reservoir. He encouraged farmers to continue supporting development efforts in the Achukattu area.
He announced that silt removal will be undertaken in the Harangi Reservoir river basin, Garagandur, and other locations. Tree trimming and pothole repair work will also be carried out.
Chowde Gowda, President of the Harangi Reservoir Water Users Association, stated that five taluks fall under the reservoir’s jurisdiction and requested additional funding and silt removal. Superintendent Engineer Satish reported that the reservoir has a total water storage capacity of 8.50 TMC, of which 8.073 TMC is usable. The reservoir comprises an earthen embankment, a stone structure, and a concrete structure. It measures 845.82 meters in length, 53 meters in height, and is situated at an elevation of 2,859 feet above sea level.
Executive Engineer I. K. Puttaswamy highlighted the reservoir’s role in irrigating 1,34,895 acres across Somwarpet and Kushalnagar in Kodagu district, Arakalgud in Hassan district, and Hunsur and Periyapatna taluks in Mysore district. He noted that the system includes two lift irrigation schemes.
He also mentioned that the Cauvery Festival has been celebrated since 1984, with sacred water brought from Talakaveri for worship. The following day, water is offered to the Cauvery statue near the Harangi Reservoir and distributed to devotees.
Engineers from the Achukattu area, including Kusukumar, Manjunath, AEE Rajendra Kumar, Assistant Engineers Soumya Raju and Sandhya, were present.
