To pressurise the State government to earmark funds in the 2017-18 Budget for the Kumudvathi lift irrigation project, the farmers have called for a Shiralakoppa bandh on January 30. They say that the funds will help provide water for agricultural and drinking purposes in the drought-hit Talagunda and Udugani hoblis in Shikaripur taluk
S. Shivanandappa, convener, Suvarna Karnataka Hitarakshana Vedike, an organisation of local farmers told presspersons on Sunday that commercial establishments in Shiralakoppa town and in Talagunda and Udugani hoblis will remain closed and public transportation vehicles will remain off the roads on January 30. The business fraternity has expressed its support for the bandh call, he said.
The Talagunda and Udugani hoblis are hit by drought for second consecutive year. A major chunk of the villages in these hoblis are gripped by the acute shortage of drinking water.
The State government should construct a barrage across the Kumudvathi near Suragihalli village, lift 2 tmcft of water from there and pump it to tanks and lakes in Talagunda and Udugani hoblis through a network of canals and pipelines. The ground water level could be recharged by filling tanks. This would ensure availability of water for agricultural and drinking needs too.
A preliminary survey on the project was conducted by farmers, under the aegis of the Vedike. The report of this survey has been submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also, Mr. Shivanandappa added.
