Kundapur: The dream of the people of the district finally realized on Monday May 4. The water flown into the Varahi canal spread smiles on the faces of the farmers of this region while the people’s representatives broadened their chest with proud on themselves. Afterall this project was a dream of the people of this region since 35 years.

On Monday CM Siddhramaiah inaugurated the Varahi irrigation project making the people of Udupi rejoice. CM inaugurated the project by switching on the machine at Holeshankaranarayana in Siddhapur in Kundapur. Speaking to the gathering CM said, Varahi is a dream project of this region. Farmers have fought many fights to make this dream a reality.  The foundation stone for the project was laid in 1979 when Gundurao was the Chief Minister of the state. It’s been 35 years since then.  But the project got some pace after 2005, but in these ten years the work was done only for five years due to holidays and rain, he said.

He also added that in the next two years the second phase of the project will be finished.

District incharge minister Vinaya Kumar Sorake, Oscar Fernandese, Pratapchandra Shetty and many other dignitaries were present.  Byndoor MLA K. Gopal Poojary presided over the program.

Kundapur: CM will inaugurate Varahi Irrigation Project and the water will be flown into the canals on May 4 informed MLC Oskar Fernandez. He was addressing the press meet in Siddapur. He said that that the state government is concerned about farmers. Since 32 years the farmers were disappointed but they will get water for irrigation through both the canals of Varahi.

Press: will you drag CM’s attention about the corruption in Varahi project?

Oskar:  Our first priority is water. The quality was the canals cannot be decided just by seeing it. It might take one year to determine whether the construction work is up to the mark. Without even releasing the water one can’t say the work is qualitative or not. If corruption has occurred the government and officers will take necessary actions.

He said that after CM inaugurates the first phase, the work of second phase will be started off. The farmers who grow sugar cane will get benefit out of this. The sugar factories will be reopened. The work is in process.

Baindoor MLA Gopla Poojari, MLC Pratapchandra Shetty, M.A.Gafoor, Nataraju, Jayasheela Shetty and others were present.

Kundapur: With the demand for water from the Varahi irrigation project, Udupi farmers who were on a protest since January 1have postponed their protest after meeting the Ministers of the state government here on January 16.

The ministers included Revenue Minister V. Srinivasa Prasad, Forests Minister B. Ramanath Rai, Major and Medium Irrigation Minister M.B. Patil and Urban Development and district in-charge Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, who participated in the review meeting with farmers at KPC hall in Hosangadi.

MB Patil assured that by April 1st 2015, 5,600 hectares of farm land would get water from Varahi Irrigation project. At present 18.2 km in Right Bank Canal, 8 km in Left Bank Canal and 24 km of work is covered in the distributor canal already, the ministers assured.

As per the demand of the local farmers, a detailed project was presented and explained to them by the officials.

It was also learnt that issues related to land acquisition and deemed forests would be sorted out at  the earliest, a scientific verification will be conducted regarding the same and a booklet will be released with complete survey report  and project plan.

A coordination committee will be formed under Deputy Conservator of Forest and Assistant Commissioner and they will be answerable to the public and the officials regarding the progress of the project, the ministers affirmed during the meeting.

Major and Medium Irrigation Minister M.B. Patil assured that government is committed to finish the work  of 32 km in Left Bank Canal (LBC) by December 2015.  5600 acres of farmland would get the benefit after the completion of the LBC work, which is expected to finish by April 2016.

He added that Major and Medium Irrigation department had taken the project on the March 15, 2004. Initially the project was only for irrigation project. Later the proposal was converted into multipurpose and finally it is now designed to be the only irrigation project, again.

Revenue minister, Srinivas Prasad said that as only 40% of the land has been acquired, still around 60% more is needed.  There are issues related to Land Acquisition Act of 2014 which will be sorted accordingly. Compensation will be given after the submission of appropriate documents, there are provisions for  online applications too. He added that the government will give enough staff and job security for the project/

Ramanath Rai , Forests Minister said that with the deemed forest clearance for 129 hectares of land, Varahi has no deemed forest issues. There is a demand for another 30 hectares of land for the project which is earmarked under deemed forest  which will be done in another 4-5 months. He guided the officials to arrange a district level meet for Varahi to have an updation on the work progress, it will be easy for anyone to understand the situation

After Urban Development Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake urged protesters to stop the indefinite dharna in front of the chief engineer office. the District Raitha Sangha president and MLC Pratap Chandra Shetty agreed to stop the protest.