Tension prevailed at Tungabhadra Low Level canal at Moka Regulator in Bellary district of Karnataka on Sunday when the farmers downed the canal shutters and diverted the flow to local channels.
The Irrigation Officials of Andhra Pradesh could barely manage to reopen two shutters so far to secure release of 160 cusecs as the irrigation officials and civil administration of Karnataka remained non-cooperative.
The Karnataka police were accused of being indifferent to the situation while two local leaders identified as Narayana Reddy and Bhaskar Reddy, followers of MLA Sriramulu gathered a large number of farmers to take over the canal regulator at D.V. Halli.
The disputed regulator is on the LLC at 118th k.m. from the Hospet where the flow to Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh is moderated.
However, the farmers took over the water regulating structure and downed all six shutters curtailing the entire flow. Karnataka farmers were cultivating an unauthorised area of around 5,000 acres at the place.
Officials indifferent
The irrigation officials of TB Board who administered the canal remained indifferent fearing reaction from local farmers.
Deputy Executive Engineer of LLC at Adoni, Nehimiya, told The Hindu that they had given an indent of 660 cusecs at AP border (250 km) but the flow was only 160 cusecs after reopening two shutters. According to reports, the TB dam was releasing 1690 cusecs into the canal of which the share of Andhra Pradesh was 660 cusecs.
On learning about the problem, Kurnool Collector contacted his Bellary counterpart and sought his intervention.
The matter was also brought to the notice of the Irrigation Secretary and other officials.
Water sharing between the areas of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in the joint canal has been a bone of contention during agriculture season every year. Taking the advantage of being in the upper reaches, the farmers in Karnataka use excessive water causing short supply to tail-end areas. The canal is managed by TB Board till the border point and then by Andhra Pradesh officials in the remaining length at the tail-end.
