Farmers from Siddapura and surrounding villages are angry at the slow pace of construction of the Varahi Irrigation Project. They also have other grouses such as lack of proper land survey, delay in compensation payment, houses damaged during blasting of rocks, among others.
Haripasad Shetty, a farmer, said several farmers in Kundapur and parts of Udupi taluk had paddy and arecanut fields, who will be benefited immensely by the completion of the project. “But neither Right Bank Canal nor Left Bank Canal works have been completed. There is a lot of corruption in implementation of the project,” he said.
Umesh Shetty, farmer from Yadady-Matyady village, said he had lost two acres and 11 cents during land acquisition for the project. “But the officials did not conduct proper survey nor did they prepare records properly. As a result, there are over 100 cases regarding land acquisition in the courts. Due to improper records, no compensation has been given,” he said.
Ramachandra Mendon of Maluvalli village, said that the frequent blasting of rocks for canal works were not being carried out safely. Four houses in the village had suffered extensive damages. “Though the Tahsildar and Assistant Commissioner inspected the damage done to our houses, no compensation has been given. Open blasting of rocks should be stopped,” he said.
Sujin from Ayurbail village, said that during one of the blasts, his mother Vanaja was injured and admitted to a hospital in Kundapur on December 19. “But neither was any compensation given, nor did any official came to meet us,” he said.
Suryanarayana Udupa, a farmer from Thombattu village, said there were nearly 300 families dependent on agriculture in the village. But the bridge constructed to provide connectivity to the village, a part of the Varahi Irrigation Project, was in a bad shape. “It is already showing signs of wear-and-tear. I do not think it will last beyond three years. The government should do something about it fast,” he said.
Mookambu Shetty from Jambur village said that water from a spring coming from the hills had been diverted from the village for the canal works. “Due to this 15 houses in the village have no drinking water. But no one listens to us,” she said.
