Malankara: The Malankara Lift Irrigation Project, which could have greatly benefited farmers, remains incomplete even after three and a half decades. Having spend around ₹70 lakhs over the past 35 years, the project still remains in limbo.

Although the authorities announced that the project would be revived soon, farmers’ hopes were dashed. Bureaucratic apathy is being alleged for the complete failure and sabotage of the Malankara Lift Irrigation Project, designed by the minor irrigation department.

Launched in 1990 with an initial allocation of ₹24 lakhs, the project received additional funding over the years. However, equipment worth lakhs, including pipes, motors and other machinery, was left to rust due to the lack of timely execution.

The project was designed to irrigate 280 acres of paddy fields and 150 acres of other land, besides addressing water scarcity for over 650 families. A building was constructed along the Malankara River, along with two-way canals, electrical works, and the installation of three 100 HP motors. A transformer was also arranged for power supply, but it was damaged after being submerged due to the delay in installation.

Though another transformer was installed later, it too ceased to operate eventually. Seven years ago, an additional fund of ₹21 lakhs were allocated, but no steps were taken to resume the work. The motors, however, expired their warranty period before the associated equipment could be installed in the pump house. Authorities have failed to provide satisfactory answers as to why the project remains incomplete despite multiple fund allocations and making available other related facilities.

Two years ago, the government allocated over ₹1.5 crores for the project’s completion and a team of engineers conducted a site inspection. Their report concluded that the existing equipment was unusable. A fresh estimate of ₹3.85 crores was submitted for new equipment and a constructing a building, but no progress has been made, complain local residents.