Stalled Rs 1,369 crore project leaves farmers of 22 villages in a limbo

Farmers pin hopes on the ongoing winter session of legislature in B'gavi for decisive action

- C A ITNALMATH @ ATHANI

THE much-awaited Khilegaon Basaveshwar Lift Irrigation Project, envisioned to benefit farmers across 22 villages in the northern part of Athani taluk remains incomplete, leaving the farming community frustrated. Despite promises and financial allocations, the project has been delayed for years, with only half of the work being completed. This has sparked criticism towards elected representatives and Irrigation Department officials.

The Gayatri Construction Company, contracted to execute the project, was tasked with completing the irrigation infrastructure within 36 months in 2017, at an estimated cost of Rs 1,369 crore. The project aims to provide irrigation to 27,462 hectares of farmland across the region. However, even after seven years, only 50% of the work is completed, though around Rs 1,000 crore was disbursed to the contractor.