BENGALURU: A day after Mandya independent MP Sumalatha Ambareesh sought a CBI probe alleging there were cracks in Krishnarajasagar(KRS) dam built across Cauvery, the government on Friday issued a clarification saying the claim was false.
K Jaiprakash, managing director of Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited, said the government had taken precautions to maintain strength of the dam and that recent inspections carried out by the dam safety review panel revealed no such concerns. “As recommended by DSRP, we are carrying out a project to further strengthen the reservoir under phase I of the dam rehabilitation and improvement programme. During the course of the work, we took additional precautions. There are no structural defects in the dam construction,” said the statement.
CNNL said during the dam-improvement programme, which has been funded by World Bank, a consultant was hired who had recommended changing the reservoir’s 136 gates. “Even during this inspection, no structural defects were identified in the dam walls,” added CNNL.
Sumalatha accuses HDK
The war of words between Sumalatha and former CM HD Kumaraswamy continued on Friday as the actor accused the JD(S) leader of humiliating cine actors when they requested him to build a memorial for her late husband Ambareesh. Sumalatha alleged actors Doddanna and Shivaram were humiliated as Kumaraswamy flung the requisition letter on their faces.
Sumalatha also hit out at Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha. “Is he the MP of Mysuru or Mandya,” she asked a day after Simha claimed there were no cracks in KRS dam.
Simha responded: “I did not speak favouring any person. Being an MP from Mysuru-Kodagu, I am concerned because KRS reservoir receives water from Kodagu catchment areas. So, I clarified it had no cracks.”
