Kundapur: Gulvady dam in state of utter neglect, villages reel under water scarcity

Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Mar 31: The vented dam built across Halady River near Gulvady in the taluk a few years ago to stop saline water from getting mixed with fresh water of the river, and to help irrigate the farmlands which otherwise parch after rainy season, is now lying in shambles because of official apathy.

The coastal districts are reeling under shortage of drinking water, caused by dried wells and water sources, and falling underground water table. Although the government has released crores of rupees through zilla panchayats for handling the water crisis, the villages do not seem to have got any real benefit.

The dam has 28 large sized gates and three small ones. Normally, the four big gates of the dam are closed by February each year. However, this year, this has not been done, as a result of which the river flow, which would have enriched the underground water table if blocked at the dam,  continues to reach the sea. As a result, about 20 villages located in the vicinity are suffering from serious water scarcity, and agricultural lands wear a deserted look.

The dam, built about three years back, was transferred to irrigation department over a year back, and its officials seem to be unresponsive to the crisis gripping the region. The officials, who have failed to call for tenders for the appointment of closure and opening of these gates, are said to be giving reckless replies to the villagers whenever they approach them relating to this issue.

Normally, local workers, who have full knowledge about the timing of the flow of saline and fresh water in the river, are employed for operating the gates. The villagers say that the department officials have shown total neglect towards this task this time, as a result of which, the gates are not being operated satisfactorily.

The dam, which was contracted to G Shaankar, has never been inaugurated. Although the dam has mechanical levers for operating the gates, greasing, painting etc have never been attended during the last three years. As a result, the entire dam shows signs of extensive rusting, wear and tear. People feel that the dam will cease to exist if it is left unattended for two more years.

The  villagers from Hemmady, Hunsemakki, Bidkalkatte, Halady, Sauda etc, who were hopeful that the gates of the dam would be shut, and that the depleting underground water table would show improvement, are a disappointed lot now. The people allege that the department officials, who were aware of the ground reality, are bowing under some external pressure and neglecting the regional interests.

When the chief engineer in the department of minor irrigation was contacted by the locals, he reportedly said that sand miners have been objecting to the shutting of the dam’s gates. He said he is approached by different groups, some of which demand for closure of gates, with the others asking not to close them. When he was told that there was no one to operate the gates, he allegedly said there are people to do the same. The villagers said that they had approached him again to get names of the operators, but then the engineer changed his stance, clarifying that tender process for appointing gate operators is on. The people say that the gates can be closed for one week, and then kept open for the next week, so that all the problems are addressed. They are apprehensive that huge amount sanctioned for the maintenance of this dam is going down the drain.

About 750 acres of agricultural lands in the area are reeling under water scarcity. The underground water table, water level in wells and tributaries etc will rise if the gates are closed for a week and then opened a week alternatively, feels Kishen Kumar Kenchanor, a progressive farmer from the region. The officials said they had delayed closure of gates, which usually happens during February end, because of the demand of the sand miners and others. They have now assured that early arrangements would be made to operate the gates.