Malavi reservoir emptied but repair delayed, fuelling anxiety

Time of India

24-05-2025

Hagaribommanahalli (Vijayanagara): Despite funds being allocated for crest gate repairs that had been neglected for years, causing water wastage, farmers dependent on the Malavi reservoir face a dire situation without any repairs or water storage.
During previous MLA Bhima Nayak's tenure, a Rs 150 crore project was initiated to renovate the reservoir comprehensively. The Malavi reservoir, vital for local farmers, typically holds 2 tmcs of water during adequate rainfall. However, insufficient rainfall and unaddressed leakage issues had left the reservoir unfilled for years.
Most of the repairs to the reservoir were accomplished with the Rs 150 crore grant, of which Rs 4 crore is still available.
The introduction of a system to consistently release water from Tungabhadra dam to the Malavi reservoir allowed it to be filled last year after nearly 13 years. However, issues with the crest gates caused water to leak into Hagari River.
Following farmers' requests, current MLA Nemiraj Nayak arranged repairs through the irrigation department, utilising experts from the Upper Bhadra Project. However, insufficient repairs to gates 5, 7, and 9 resulted in continued leakage, with most water flowing into the Hagari River, undermining the Rs 150 crore investment.
While groundwater levels improved in villages along the Hagari River, agricultural lands remained unirrigated. Pressure mounted to utilise the remaining Rs 4 crore grant for pending repairs. After a two-year delay, tenders were processed, and the irrigation department released 4 feet of remaining reservoir water into the Hagari River, with water flowing through two crest gates for three days.
Meanwhile, rain caused water to gather near the crest gates of the reservoir, necessitating the construction of a barrier to contain it.
Several tasks remain, such as the installation of walls on both the left and right banks to avert water leakage. The reservoir has been drained, and a barrier has been erected. "The project is expected to be finished on schedule," states AEE Dharmaraj from the Irrigation Department.
Farmers continue to be sceptical. Although Rs 4 crore was left unutilised during the tenure of the last MLA Bhima Nayak, the current MLA, Nemiraj Nayak, has postponed the work by two years.
Moreover, the 4 feet of water that was in the reservoir has now been emptied. "The rainy season is about to begin in a week, so when will the work on the reservoir be done?" asks Channabasappa Halyad, the former president of Malavi gram panchayat.
In response, MLA K Nemiraj Nayak stated that repairs on all ten crest gates of the Malavi reservoir will be undertaken, with instructions given to address water leakage and expedite the completion of the work. Farmers should not be anxious, he said.
Currently, the reservoir stands empty, with work yet to commence.