Farmers face severe hardship as neglected canals and collapsed access roads remain unrepaired in Nalathwada
Vijayapura
The lateral 13-A canal and the stretch near Amareshwara Temple at Nalathwada, part of the Chimmalagi Ethaniravari East Canal system, have collapsed, yet no officials from Krishna Bhagya Jal Nigam have visited the site so far. Farmers, who rely on this route to access hundreds of hectares of farmland, are increasingly concerned as the canal embankment remains blocked despite repeated phone calls for assistance. The collapse occurred a month ago, and farmers are now demanding permanent compensation for both the canal and the damaged road.
This road serves as the only access to the farmland of farmers such as Mallikarjuna Sajjana, Kashima Sikkalgara, Tukaram Gondhale, Maktumasa Sikkalgara, Hanumantha Gondhale, Shankara Rao Deshmukh, Sadashiva Gondhale, Bhavikatti, Ambaji Gondhale, Hadishale Gondhale, and others. Without it, they are facing significant hardship.
The canal, which has been poorly maintained for decades, broke even before water could flow properly. Work on it, including land acquisition and compensation to farmers, has remained incomplete. The poor quality of construction has prompted farmers to demand that the contractor be permanently blacklisted.
Every year, portions of the canal collapse, and temporary repairs fail to prevent recurrence. Farmers insist on a permanent solution. Fortunately, the rainy season has begun without significant water release in the incomplete canals, preventing a major disaster. Had the canal failed while water was flowing, surrounding farmlands could have been severely flooded, highlighting the urgency of proper reconstruction.
