Cauvery water a distant dream for these villages close to KRS

Majjigepura is a village situated just a kilometre from the popular Krishnarajasagar (KRS) reservoir, which is considered as the lifeline of the region - irrigating lands and quenching the thirst of the people of Mandya, Mysuru, and Bengaluru cities.

Though the people of the village can see the flowing River Cauvery and the KRS dam right from their doorsteps, they do not get Cauvery River water, either for drinking or for irrigation purpose.

The hopes of the people of Majjigepura to get Cauvery water for drinking, right from the time the construction of KRS dam started, remains a distant dream. The people of the village have to be content with borewell water.

The KRS dam is right in front of them. The canals passing around supply water and irrigate lakhs of hectares of lands in Mandya and Mysuru districts. But, they do not get a pot of water for the village. This is not the fate of Majjigepura alone, but also that of Hosaundawadi, Kuppedada, Bastipura, Hulikere, MNPM Colony, Hongalli and other villages, where they do not get Cauvery water. Though they have been provided water temporarily, a permanent solution is yet to be found.

Many villages were submerged while constructing the KRS dam. The residents, who lost their properties, settled nearby, hoping that they would not face problems as the new dam will irrigate their lands. But, they had least idea that they would not even get Cauvery water for drinking. Though the politicians assure them of providing Cauvery water supply during elections, they forget them for the next five years, complain the locals.

Speaking to DH, writer Majjigepura Shivaramu said, the Kannambadi (KRS) dam was constructed due to the sacrifice of many people of the villages here. "Majjigepura, Hosahundawadi and other villages got submerged for the dam. Our ancestors have sacrificed their lands, houses and properties for the purpose. Hence, we have a right on Cauvery River water. We have spent decades, hoping to get Cauvery water. But, till now, it is a distant dream. It is due to lack of will power by the elected representatives," he lamented.

Kalegowda of Hampapura said, the people and livestock have been suffering due to water scarcity for the past three years. "If it rains heavily, there is no account of water released to Tamil Nadu. When water is supplied to Bengaluru and other cities, why it could not be supplied to our villages, just a few kilometres away from the dam?" he sought to know.

When contacted, Srirangapatna MLA Ramesh Bandisiddegowda said, a new project to fill water to the lakes of seven villages from Arakere lake will be implemented soon as the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam has given its consent.

"The Bangaradoddi Canal will be upgraded at a cost of Rs 14 crore. Measures will be taken to supply water to small villages. The villages, which are facing acute water crisis, are being supplied water under the multi-village drinking water project," he added.