Mysuru, Aug. 1 -- 8-ft high compound wall, pillar reinforcement planned

The State Government has released Rs. 95 lakh for the protection of the Varuna Aqueduct (D. Devaraj Urs Canal) that supports irrigation for lakhs of families. Administrative approval has been granted and work is expected to begin once technical clearance is obtained.

The Aqueduct, located near Hale Kesare on the Outer Ring Road where it crosses the Mysuru-Bengaluru Highway, has been repeatedly damaged by miscreants who set fire to electrical wires beneath its pillars to extract copper. The fires weakened Pillar No. 49, causing cracks and raising serious concerns over the structure's safety.

On Feb. 14, the Narasimharaja Police alerted the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Li...