BIJAPUR; 12 April: With an objective of getting speedy implementation of three important irrigations projects in the North Karnataka region.

Upper Krishna Project stage-III, Mahadayi and Navali balancing reservoir for Tunga-Bhadra dam, Uttar Karnataka Swabhiman Vedike to launch tractor rally from Naragund taluk in Gadag district from April 13, and will end at Badagandi village of Bilagi taluk on April 17.

Informing this at a press conference on Tuesday, the president of the Forum and Former Minister, S. R. Patil regretted that despite having water resources such as the Almatti dam, the Bijapur district and other districts of the North Karnataka region have remained neglected from irrigation projects.

He said that despite the Krishna tribunal giving a verdict 12 years ago itself where it allocated around 80 tmcft of water to Bijapur district alone, Karnataka has failed to make use of the allocated water for irrigation purposes till date.

“ If the water is made use properly, then all districts that use Almatti water will become prosperous”, he said.

With regard to Mahadayi, he said that the governments should have found a better solution to the project instead of delaying it.

About the Navali project, he said that since around 32 tmcft of silt is accumulated in the TB dam, the government had announced to construct a balancing reservoir at Navali, but till date, the government has not been able to prepare even a detailed project report for the project.

These three are very important irrigation projects of the NK region. The government has to complete the project on priority.

The NK region has neglected this region, which was upheld even by the Nanjundappa committee which has said that the NK region is socially, economically and academically backward.

“ We have to raise the voices in unity against this injustice. People irrespective of political affiliations should join for the cause”, he said.

Mentioning one of the objectives of holding the tractor rally, Patil said that the farmers of Bijapur and Bagalkot have given thousands of acres of land for irrigation projects. But these farmers have not received adequate and justifiable compensation.

During the rally, this matter will be raised to bring to the notice of the government.

Making it clear that the rally is apolitical, he said that leaders of different parties and organisations have extended their support.

Claiming that around 200 tractors are expected to join the rally, he said that the rally will end at Badagandi village where a mega rally will be held which will be attended by several seers.

To a question, he said that the rally is not aimed at criticizing any government or the party, it is clearly aimed at spreading awareness among the people about the pending irrigation projects of the NK region.

“ We will be only seeking justice in this region”, he said.