<p>Chikkamagaluru/DHNS: While residents eagerly await the inflow of Bhadra water into the lake near Choulahiriyur village—located on the border of Kadur taluk and crucial for agriculture and groundwater—there is also a growing concern among villagers about whether the water will actually reach the lake in the village, given the dilapidated state of the canal.</p><p>The lake, constructed in 1889, is now under the jurisdiction of the Minor Irrigation Department. It spans 42 hectares and irrigates 140 hectares of agricultural land in the village. Its catchment area covers 2.69 square kilometres, with the main water source being Kalkere Lake, also known as Kukkasamudra Lake, located uphill from the village.</p><p>Under the Upper Bhadra Project, water has already been released into Kukkasamudra Lake, which is now full. From there, the water is expected to flow a distance of 9 kilometres through a canal to reach the lake near Choulahiriyur. If this lake overflows, the water will eventually reach Hiriyur through the Vedavathi River in Chitradurga district.</p><p>The canal from Kukkasamudra to Choulahiriyur crosses 17 sluices. However, due to poor maintenance and the deteriorated condition of the canal, farmers are worried whether the water will make it to the destination lake.</p><p>“The sluices scattered along the canal are not in good condition. Most of them are damaged and non-functional. Weeds have grown along the canal embankment, making it inaccessible to vehicles or even pedestrians. This makes it difficult for water from Kukkasamudra Lake to reach our lake,” villagers rued.</p><p>“For the last 10 years, we have been requesting the authorities to repair the sluices and ensure water flows into the lake. We even recently submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner. But no measures have been taken to repair it. Now that Kukkasamudra is full, the next lake can be filled only if the canal allows smooth flow. Not even basic repairs have been done to achieve that,” said villager Ashok Kumar.</p><p>Over the years, the lake has accumulated a lot of silt, which needs to be cleared. </p><p>The Minor Irrigation Department has submitted a proposal to the government for the repair of the canal and sluices. However, due to lack of approval, the project remains stalled.</p><p>Minor Irrigation Department Assistant Executive Engineer Dakshinamurthy said “Some of the sluices are old and damaged and are not functioning. It has been decided to close it temporarily, to facilitate the flow of water.</p><p>“An earth mover will clear any obstructions for the flow of water.”</p>
<p>Chikkamagaluru/DHNS: While residents eagerly await the inflow of Bhadra water into the lake near Choulahiriyur village—located on the border of Kadur taluk and crucial for agriculture and groundwater—there is also a growing concern among villagers about whether the water will actually reach the lake in the village, given the dilapidated state of the canal.</p><p>The lake, constructed in 1889, is now under the jurisdiction of the Minor Irrigation Department. It spans 42 hectares and irrigates 140 hectares of agricultural land in the village. Its catchment area covers 2.69 square kilometres, with the main water source being Kalkere Lake, also known as Kukkasamudra Lake, located uphill from the village.</p><p>Under the Upper Bhadra Project, water has already been released into Kukkasamudra Lake, which is now full. From there, the water is expected to flow a distance of 9 kilometres through a canal to reach the lake near Choulahiriyur. If this lake overflows, the water will eventually reach Hiriyur through the Vedavathi River in Chitradurga district.</p><p>The canal from Kukkasamudra to Choulahiriyur crosses 17 sluices. However, due to poor maintenance and the deteriorated condition of the canal, farmers are worried whether the water will make it to the destination lake.</p><p>“The sluices scattered along the canal are not in good condition. Most of them are damaged and non-functional. Weeds have grown along the canal embankment, making it inaccessible to vehicles or even pedestrians. This makes it difficult for water from Kukkasamudra Lake to reach our lake,” villagers rued.</p><p>“For the last 10 years, we have been requesting the authorities to repair the sluices and ensure water flows into the lake. We even recently submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner. But no measures have been taken to repair it. Now that Kukkasamudra is full, the next lake can be filled only if the canal allows smooth flow. Not even basic repairs have been done to achieve that,” said villager Ashok Kumar.</p><p>Over the years, the lake has accumulated a lot of silt, which needs to be cleared. </p><p>The Minor Irrigation Department has submitted a proposal to the government for the repair of the canal and sluices. However, due to lack of approval, the project remains stalled.</p><p>Minor Irrigation Department Assistant Executive Engineer Dakshinamurthy said “Some of the sluices are old and damaged and are not functioning. It has been decided to close it temporarily, to facilitate the flow of water.</p><p>“An earth mover will clear any obstructions for the flow of water.”</p>