Daijiworld Media Network - Chitradurga (SP)

Chitradurga, Sep 12: The government has been introducing schemes meant to improve underground water level and to mitigate water scarcity. It has also spent crores of rupees to stagnate water through check dams. But because of the irresponsibility on the part of contractors and engineers the government's money has been going down the drain.

A check dam built across the Vedavathi river in Chitradurga district at a cost of Rs 6.64 crore has now been washed away. This incident has proved the substandard quality of work and material used. This huge check dam stands between Byadarahalli and Tore Obayannahalli.

The previous government led by H D Kumaraswamy had released Rs 6.5 crore for this dam for recharging of underground water table through special grant. The dam was constructed through the minor irrigation department. But because of the recklessness of the engineers of this department, contractor G O Raju did haphazard work as a result of which the dam has gone waste, the villagers said. The farmers pointed out that a single rain was able to wash this entire dam away putting an end to the dreams of thousands of farmers. The farmers protested and raised slogans against officials and contractor G O Raju.

Work on this huge dam is totally substandard. The cement of the dam peels off even when its surface is scratched with a small stone. The dam has been destroyed even before the work was completed. The people have demanded to take action against the contractor for substandard work and against engineers of the department for dereliction of duty. The dam has several cracks and the contractor tried to close them by applying cement over the cracks, which has infuriated the farmers further.

This check dam was to serve hundreds of borewells by recharging water but it is no longer in existence. The farmers want a criminal case to be filed against the contractor Raju and engineer Bheemraj. Executive engineer K V Radhakrishna says that the check dam work was in progress and work had been suspended due to Covid. He said that as per the statement of contractor G O Raju, 270-metre long and three metre high work had been completed. He said that the bill has not been paid and the contractor will build the dam again and that there is no question of substandard work.

The people want the government to check the quality of construction and to take action against the irresponsible engineers and contractors who have caused this loss.