JOIN USRyots await start of lift irrigation
Although, it is complete many months ago, the project is yet to be dedicated for the people of district.
Hirekere is one of the biggest lakes in the district situated near Biligiriranganabetta. It has a capacity to irrigate thousands of acres in the area.
The lake had filled once that too four years ago and had caused problems for local farmers. At that time, farmers demanded taking up Honganuru-Hirekere Lift Irrigation. The then deputy chief minister and finance minister, Siddaramaiah launched the works. Although, a decade lapsed, the farmers are yet to derive benefits of this scheme.
The government had spent Rs 240 lakh on this project with the sole aim of solving water crisis by irrigating around 2,000 acres through Kabini Right Bank Canal. Unfortunately the works were not completed on right time.
Now, the scheme is ready for inauguration; but either the government or officials are not bothered about its inauguration.
Honganuru, Bettahalli, Chatipura, Masanapura, Gangawadi and Kallipura villages of Chamarajanagar taluk would be benefited by the project. Even farmers could go for crops during khariff season.
But the elected representatives are not interested to inaugurate the scheme as it would benefit farmers, allege farmers. On experimental basis, water was released and no fault was found.
Scanty rains
The local farmers say that it is the right to inaugurate the scheme in view of scanty rains in the entire taluk, they added.
Moreover, there is more than 40 per cent silt accumulation in the lake which needs to be lifted for enabling the lake to fill to its brim. The villagers have already met legislator regarding inauguration of the project but has not received any convincing reply, which has caused anxiety. The project is a long pending dream and now the onus is on the elected representatives to expedite the inauguration, stress the farmers.