Kundapur: Substandard renovation work - Tank poses danger to villagers

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

Kundapur, Jun 21: On account of poor quality of construction at a recently renovated ancient tank, an entire village under Hosangady gram panchayat in the taluk is going through anxious moments. Over 80 families, who are dependent on Kotekere, a historically famous tank, for their agricultural activities, are now apprehensive that normal life in the village will be paralyzed, all because of substandard renovation work of the tank.

The tank was earlier in dilapidated condition. Taking into account problems faced by villagers living around the tank, the tank was renovated by the gram panchayat to help them in agricultural activities, under the supervision of minor irrigation department under the scheme of providing one tank for every village. The renovation works costing over two crore rupees, were undertaken for the tank measuring 18 acres.

The renovation work had begun during the tenure of Udupi district deputy commissioner, M T Reju, and tahsildar, Lalanki Ravi. Many had struck a note of caution after noticing the haphazard work undertaken at the initiation stage itself. However, the officials and people’s representatives ignored the warnings, as a result of which, the local agriculturists are now facing a grave situation.

Hosangady had functioned as the capital of a province headed by Honnaya Kambali, who worked under Sadashiva Nayaka (1530-66), who ruled Keladi kingdom. In those times, Hosangady happened to be a cantonment housing lot of army contingents. It had scores of forts and other structures. Forts like Devaragudde, Kuppappanabagilu, Hulikal Betta, and Metlakgudde built on high hillocks,  and forts built on flat surface like Kotekere and Muttinakatte can be seen in Hosangady even now. The Kotekere fort depended entirely on Kotekere tank for its water needs.

Although renovation works of the tank have been completed, the pitching system around the tank has not been completed. On Thursday June 20 morning, a section of the tank suddenly collapsed, reportedly because of non-provision of pitching. Now, other sides of the tank also face the prospects of crashing down. Low-lying areas have been inundated, and water has also gushed into neighbouring agricultural fields and plantations. The local students, coolies, and employed persons, who are dependent on the only road which passes through the border of the tank to go to their destinations, are facing lot of problems. If the problem persists and the situation turns worse, they may get stranded in the village for a long time, they fear.

“The works have been substandard since the beginning. Even during the period work was in progress, we had tried to convince the concerned about our fears. Now that the tank has suffered a collapse, we are facing a fearful situation. Unless the concerned immediately take up steps to remedy the situation, there is no doubt that the families l iving here will get surrounded by water and be confined to their homes,” said a local farmer, Rajesh from Balejeddu, Hosangady.