It's common knowledge that governments often leave no stone unturned to ensure the completion of works related to flyovers, high-tech roads, bridges and such other urban development programmes before the deadline. But, when it comes to implementing rural development works, governments stumble and authorities become lethargic. Many multi-crore rural developmental works in the State have failed to see the light of day due to continued callousness of successive governments.

In the age of SEZs and metro rails, many rural projects are getting a raw deal. Hippargi project, worth Rs 1,113 crore today, is one of the most neglected rural development works in Karnataka. With continued delay of successive governments, the project launched by late CM Devaraj Urs in 1972 with an estimated cost of Rs 186 crore, has still remained a distant dream for the poor farmers of North Karnataka. Even after three-and-a-half decades the government is still struggling to complete all the works under this mega irrigation project.

Mr Devaraj Urs implemented the project with the sole aim of finding a lasting solution to severe drought which had made the lives of people of Athani taluk and its surrounding areas in Jamakhandi miserable in 1972.
Unfortunately, even as Athani continued to reel under drought and floods for the last few decades, nothing could wake the governments up from their torpor. A rich producer of fruits like pomegranate and grapes, Athani taluk has been unable to ensure a good yield due to recurring natural calamities.

After three severe spells of drought and disastrous floods twice in the last six years, Athani taluk has become a living hell for farmers. The governments have also failed to understand their plight.

Canal works at snail's pace
Although works on the construction of a barrage across Krishna river at Hipparagi (project site) in Jamkhandi taluk were completed seven years ago (after almost three decades of project launch), the construction of canals has taken a back seat. Water to the fields can be drawn only when the canal works are over. The project largely helps farmers of Athani taluk, though it is being established in Jamkhandi taluk.

According to sources, the project got delayed due to various reasons. It had to be suspended due to paucity of funds and until the formation of Karnataka Nirawari Nigam. When the nigam took shape, the work came to a grinding halt due to the shortage of necessary technical staff. The project work had been completed to some extent till 1997 but again took a long pause due to technical problems. In 1997 itself, the engineers detected a serious technical fault under the barrage which took almost three years to repair.

Benefits of the project
When the project took off, it was aimed to irrigate more than 50,597 hectare land in 56 villages of Athani, Chikkodi and Jamkhandi taluks. Subsequently, the government decided to irrigate 74,742 hectare land under the project. About 65,697 hectare land in Belgaum district and 9,045 hectare in Jamkhandi taluk will be irrigated under the project. Presently, water is being collected in barrages but is not being utilised without canals in place.
The government will be constructing four lift irrigation projects - Ainapur, Halyal, Karimasuti and Sawalgi-Tungal - through which the large land around the barrage would be effectively irrigated. According to sources, works on all these lift irrigation projects has been going on at a drastically slow pace. And the quality standards of canals is not being checked due to the absence of technical staff.

Official sources feel the available technical staff has been unable to focus on canal works due to increasing pressure on them. They are made to concentrate on various other works as well. To ensure speedy completion of works, the government should bring in the required technical staff and also give pace to rehabilitation works.

No rehabilitation of affected
The land acquisition process under the project has been moving at a slow pace. A number of people in parts of Athani, Chikkodi and Jamkhandi taluk residing in and around the project site would be affected. Although people affected by the project are promised alternative houses or sites, nothing has worked in their favour.

More than 5,573 acre land is yet to be acquired by the government for the construction of canals under the project. A number of farmers have objected to giving their land under acquisition process while many others have already moved the court against acquisition of their lands.

Farmers feel the work of canal under Karimasuti lift irrigation project has been substandard. The canal leaks and the pace of works has been too slow, allege farmers.

Many farmers feel the project will take at least four years to complete, provided all the required staff and facilities are put in place. Upset farmers feel the project has lost its significance because of the long delay and that the government is taking up works just to complete a formality.