Chikkamagaluru: The lift irrigation project to irrigate 1200 acres land in Malalur village in Chikkamagaluru district remains a distant dream after the project foundation stone was laid way back in 1998.
Farmers who dreamt of irrigating their land with ease using water from the lift irrigation scheme have lost the count of assurances given by successive governments, officials and elected representatives in the past 18 years. The first phase works including jackwell, intake well and laying pipes are complete. Even the present MLA from the area B B Ningaiah admits that the works are being done slowly and assures of completing them within 6 months.
The laxity on the part of government and officialdom has dampened the hopes of the farming community which hoped in reaping huge benefits by utilizing water from the lift irrigation scheme to irrigate their lands. Many protests organized by farmer unions too went in vain.
The second phase works including installation of pumps and electrification works are in progress.
Will anyone ‘lift’ this buried project to bring back smiles on the faces of the farmers?
