Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Mar 18: For the first time since the project started to be executed, water was pumped into the left bank canal of Varahi Irrigation Project on Wednesday March 17. The water, pumped into the canal from the Bharatkal lift irrigation facility, reached the fields of the farmers till Halady.

The project, marred by controversies, modifications and frequent delays, had started showing signs of life in the recent years, during the tenures of  irrigation minister in S M Krishna cabinet, Mallikarjun Kharge, and of K S Eshwarappa, irrigation minister in the BJP-JDS combine, both of whom evinced interest in it. Under the project, water that gushes out of Varahi Diversion Veir, is pumped through the lift irrigation system provided at Bharatkal.

Foundation project for the project had been laid by the then Chief Minister, the late Gundu Rao, in 1989. The right bank canal of the project, which is under progress, is yet to be completed. The project engineers plan to irrigate fields up to Brahmavar, once the project is executed in full.

So far, a sum of Rs 569.83 crore has been spent for the project. Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa, is set to officially inaugurate the project shortly.