The much-publicised Thotapalli project could not provide any respite for the farmers who have been eagerly waiting for the last the two years to have irrigation water facility for thousands of acres in Laveru and Ranasthalam mandals of Srikakulam district.
The farmers are up in arms against irrigation officials for the inordinate delay in completion of land acquisition for developing distributory network to ensure flow of water for fields. According to locals, the water is yet to reach 42,932 acres in both the mandals.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu formally inaugurated the project in 2014 to ensure irrigation water for both Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts. Although works on the reservoir and canals were completed, those on the distributory network were not completed in many mandals.
Irrigation officials say they are not getting support for land acquisition from locals who made undue demands. They are insisting on the market value as the price for lands along the national highway in Ranasthalam mandal is skyrocketing. There is poor cooperation from revenue officials also.
A.P. Rythu Sangham Srikakulam district president K. Mohana Rao said that the irrigation officials had not shown any interest over the distributory network and escaped responsibility by blaming the Revenue Department and farmers. “Many farmers thought that they would have abundant yield from this year with the completion of the Thotapalli project. But the situation is different since water is there in reservoir but is not reaching fields. The government should look into the issue immediately and help farmers,” he added.
The same is the case with Vamsadhara project too. With the inordinate delay in settling the land disputes, the phase-2 has not yet been completed. The government assured to do so in 2015 itself with the availability of funds. According to sources, it would take at least two years for the completion of the project and ensure irrigation facility for 2 lakh acres in the district. “We are trying to finalise the compensation with the support of Lok Adalats. So that, the land acquisition issue will be settled very soon. The works will be taken up very soon,” said an irrigation official.
Although the reservoir and canals are completed, the distributory network is not completed in many mandals of Srikakulam district
