Another irrigation project, same old story

Akola: Project after project, the same old story is being repeated, particularly in Vidarbha. Inordinate delays, cost escalation, contractor-politician nexus and apathy of government officials, are the norm at every single project. And the ultimate sufferers are poor farmers who lose their livelihood.
The latest case to be highlighted is Katepurna Barrage, in Murtijapur town of Akola.Conceptualized on August 31, 2007, the project has failed to irrigate even a single inch of land even after the exchequer incurred an expenditure of Rs109 crore. Like all other projects, its cost also jumped by a whopping 450% over this period due to delays and steep escalation raw materials prices. At the time of its conceptualization, the actual cost was pegged at Rs69.97 crore. Seven years later, its cost has shot up to Rs398.89 crore, which is over six times the original, as per the latest revised estimates (Suprama) submitted to the government on November 30 last year.
Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC) officials as usual passed the buck on Nashik-based Central Designs Organization (CDO) for delaying the project design. Initially, seven gates were proposed and administrative approval was also taken. Later, the numbers were found inadequate and it was revised to 11 gates.
“Even central pier, which is the base of the entire project, is yet to be constructed as CDO is yet to send its design. Moreover, the work continues for only six months on such projects, since rainy season increases water flow through the river. We again start work from October,” VIDC executive engineer for the project Vasant Bhade told TOI.
The visit to the barrage was part of the ‘Sinchan Shodh Yatra’ jointly organized by NGOs Jan Manch, Loknayak Bapuji Aney Smarak Samiti, Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Vidarbha Economic Development (VED) Council and others on Sunday.
Like other projects in the saline belt, here too two canals were proposed on its right bank, despite the fact that it will lead to loss of crops. The length of two canals is 7.38km and 6.45km, through which it was projected to irrigate 4,550 hectare.
Ironically, even the 367.22 hectares required has not been fully acquired till date due to various problems like resistance from villagers and complaints of inadequate compensation. Out of it, 282.79 hectares of private land is required along with 78.09 hectares of administrative and 6.34 hectares of forest land. However, only 164.40 hectare has been acquired so far. “Budgetary allocation of Rs25 crore was made for the project last year, but we require Rs55 crore more for laying canals. We’ve sent a proposal for this fund in September. If this amount is not released by March this year, we’ve to stop the work,” Bhade said.
Deputy project engineer EN Hiradkar assured that if everything went by plan, like release of funds and grants of permission, they would complete the project by 2020. “Our land acquisition process is in advanced stage, as we acquired 135 hectares through direct purchase. But the CDO is yet to send designs of pump house.”
Farmers whose lost land to acquisition are now complaining about inadequate compensation offered to them. “They took eight hectares but paid me a meagre compensation of Rs1.30 lakh per hectare at that time. Now, they have increased it four times. They must grant us some more,” Suresh Latkar, a veteran farmer says.
Sanju Chawre claimed that he and 91 other families were not properly rehabilitated as per laws and there are no basic facilities like water at the rehabilitated location. Balasaheb More and Dadarao Phokat said that no jobs were provided to their wards as assured, even five years after acquiring their farms.
(Inputs from Nidhi Thakur)
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Name: Katepurna Barrage Project
Location: Murtijapur tehsil, Akola district
Sanction date: August 31, 2008
Work started: March 2, 2009
Barrage length: 202m
Erected lift gates: 11
Size of gates: 15m x 8.5m
Total storage: 7.7992 million Cubic metres
Useful storage: 7.7825 million Cubic metres
Useless storage: 0.0167 million cubic metres
LIFT IRRIGATION PLAN
700m: Upward canal A
1,430m: Upward canal B
7.68km: Right canal no. 1
6.45km: Right canal no. 2
4,137 hectares: Irrigation area (ICI)
Completion status:
10% Land work of dam
50% Barrage works
50% connected works
LAND NEEDED
367.22 hectares: Total land needed
282.79 hectares: Private land
78.09 hectares: Government land
6.34 hectares: Forest land
4,550 hectares: Total irrigation potential
ACQUIRED LAND
76.60 hectares: Government Land
81.66 hectares: Private land
6.34 hectares: Forest land
164.60 hectares: Total acquired land
Beneficiary villages (16): Umai, Jitapur, Repatkhed, Jambha Khurd, Mangrul Kambe, Yashwantpur, Rasulpur, Khudwantpur, Lakhpuri, Danvi, Lahid, Shelu, Sirso, Salantwada, Kharab and Panora
Affected villages (12): Umai, Jambha Khurd, Mangrul Kambe, Yashwantpur, Jambh BU, Atkadi, Gajipur, Salatwada, Amatwada, Samesherpur, Goregaon, Takdi
FINANCIAL ASPECTS
Rs69.97 crore: Original barrage administrative cost
Rs398.89 crores: First revised administrative approved proposal cost
Rs25 crores: Granted budgetary allocation in 2015-16
Rs55.01 crores: Remaining balance
Rs81.96 crores: Final expenditure in March 2015
Rs109.93 crores: Total expenditure in December 2015
AFFECTED PEOPLE
510: Total families
3,123: Total population
607: Total properties
78: Affected families
364: Total affected people
91: Affected properties
5.41 hectares (E Class): Land available for rehabilitation