A file photo of Bhadra dam backwaters
Former taluk board member ES Krishnaiah submitted the first memorandum in 1978 to then irrigation minister DB Chandregowda. Irrigation officials surveyed the area and estimated that 1,200 acres could be irrigated through the lift scheme. In 2008, when DN Jeevaraj was MLA, the govt sanctioned Rs 3.5 crore for the project. She said 1.7 hectares of forest land comes in the way of laying the pipeline from the Bhadra backwaters to the overhead tank to irrigate Saluru.
The project remains incomplete due to the stringent Forest Right Act, according to MLA TD Rajegowda.
“The contractor built a jack well, pump house and laid pipes,” explained former taluk panchayat president Jayanthi Yadagere. Till date, no clearance has been given,” she said. A forest officer said the issue had been brought to the notice of higher authorities. “A detailed proposal has been sent to top officials in Bengaluru and it is pending before them,” the officer added. He said efforts are being made to pursue the project.
Since agriculture was entirely rain-dependent, village elders proposed using the Bhadra backwaters for irrigation. “Since the pipeline passes through forest land, forest clearance was required and work was stopped.