The Upper Bhadra project which aimed at supplying drinking water to parched land in Chitradurga, Tumkur and Kolar districts through tunnels is likely to affect the ground water table and farm land in the taluk.
With rise in pollution, change in weather condition and shortage of water, Tarikere taluk has not remained merely a Malnad. Villages of Shivani, Kudloor and Koratokeri are facing acute shortage of water and the residents have been depending on supply of water through tankers for their living.
Ajjampura is situated 120 metre above Bhadra reservoir. The project does not endorse gravitational force to supply water to hilly areas, insted lift irrgation system, with over 180 deep cut channels to carry the water. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 5,895 crore.
The porject is unscientific. The government has designed this Rs 5,985 crore project with 3-5 lift irrigation systems and if even one system fails, the whole system will collapse, said experts in the region.
The deep cut channel which will pass through Ajjampura is likely to result in underground water depletion.
The moisture content in farm land will also be affected. Acres of areca and coconut trees have already dried in Bettadavarekere, Narasipura, Rangapura, Kallushettihalli, Karadipura, Balayyahosur and Athimogge.
By announcing huge amount of compensation, the government had tried to burry the protest against the project. However, with the government failing to fulfill the promise, the farmers are in distress.
Slow progress
Owing to lack of will power, the work on supplying water to historic Doddakere— ‘Gaanigithihalla’ has not been completed. The government should remove differences of opinion among the farmers on laying channel after constructing a check dam across Ganigithi hall to supply water to Doddakere in Bukkandi.
If the confusion is solved, then water will be supplied to Sihineerinakere, Beeranahattikere, Soppinamatta kere, Karekattikere, Maradavaddanakere, Balasuvakere, Veerapurakere, Vadnalukere from Ganigithihalla and will irrigate around 600 acre farm land.
This will also inrease the water-level in and around the region.