Seers join farmers in Tungabhadra desilting stir

Hosapete (Vijayanagara): Farmers on Tuesday launched a two-day symbolic desilting campaign at the Tungabhadra reservoir, urging the govt to take up removal of accumulated silt on an urgent basis.Organised by the Tungabhadra Farmers’ Association, the protest aims to draw the govt’s attention to what farmers describe as a steady decline in the reservoir’s water storage capacity due to silt accumulation.Basavanalinga Swamiji, Niranjana Prabhudeva Swamiji, Naganatha Swamiji and Kotturu Swamiji inaugurated the campaign. The seers performed Ganga puja in the reservoir waters before farmers and association office-bearers began the desilting exercise.The programme, led by Tungabhadra Farmers’ Association state president Purushottamagouda, saw participation of hundreds of farmers. About 105 tractors were deployed to transport silt from the reservoir, while excavators were used to load the material onto vehicles as part of an effort to highlight the issue.Speaking on the occasion, Purushottamagouda said lakhs of tonnes of silt have accumulated in the reservoir, significantly reducing its storage capacity. He said the situation could lead to water shortage for farmers in Vijayanagara, Ballari, Koppal and Raichur districts.He said repeated representations were submitted to the govt over the years seeking desilting of the reservoir, but no adequate action was taken. The symbolic campaign, he added, was meant to protest the govt’s inaction and bring the seriousness of the issue to public attention.Farmer leaders said the Tungabhadra dam is a major source of irrigation in the state and stressed the need to preserve its storage capacity. They urged the govt to take up desilting work on priority and provide a permanent solution.The leaders also warned that the agitation would be intensified in the coming days if their demands were not met.