If all goes according to plan, over 1,500 villages in Chikkamagaluru district will soon have access to drinking water from three major rivers flowing through the region. The Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department has drawn up a plan to supply water from the Tunga, Bhadra, and Hemavati rivers to the taluks of Koppa, Sringeri, Narasimharaja Pura (NR Pura), Mudigere, and Chikkamagaluru, under a multi-village drinking water scheme. The project aims to ensure a consistent supply of drinking water to these taluks. Although these regions benefit from considerable rainfall, many villages face water shortages, prompting the need for this project, according to an official. The total cost of the initiative is estimated at Rs 918.9 crore, with funding to come from both the central and state governments. Local authorities have already submitted the proposals to the relevant authorities. A separate plan costing Rs 500 crore has been drafted to supply water from the Tunga River to 694 villages around Sringeri town and taluk, including Bandigadi, Chavalimane, and Hariharapura, and to 514 villages in Koppa taluk. Additionally, another plan has been developed to supply water from the Bhadra River to 73 villages, including Bannur, B Kanaburu, and Magundi in NR Pura taluk, at an estimated cost of Rs 335.9 crore. A third project costing Rs 102 crore will direct water from the Tunga River to 124 villages around Muttinakoppa in NR Pura taluk, while a Rs 90 crore plan has been prepared to supply water from the Hemavati River to 60 villages, including Old Mudigere and Hesgal in Mudigere taluk. These projects are expected to benefit three towns and four taluks, encompassing 1,455 villages, according to an officer. The local residents have welcomed the initiative and are eager for its swift implementation. Although the Malnad region receives substantial rainfall, access to water is difficult in the summer. Every household should benefit from this scheme, said Suresh, a resident of Koppa.