Ambassa, May 04 (TIWN): The diversion project of Kulai is on the verge of getting defunct which was constructed at an expense of Rs 2.15 crore. Sources said that about 60 to 65 farmers of Ghantacherra under Kulai started cultivation of Boro paddy with an expectation of getting water for irrigation from the diversion project.

Some farmers harvested Boro paddy. But, bad fate did not leave behind them. Water for irrigation did not flow through the drain which was constructed to pump water from diversion scheme. Brick kiln owner Manoranjan Paul allegedly stopped the flow of water by filling soil by saying that water enters in brick kiln. As a result, water could not reach the land of farmers.

Now, acres of paddy cultivated by the hard toil of the farmers are drying up. Consequently, families of 60 to 65 farmers are suffering from huge loss.

Meanwhile, leader of farmers Kajal Deb, Sushital Paul and Ajoy Deb started investigation about the problem on behalf of Krishak Sabha. Chief Engineer of Irrigation department Jayanta Debbarma observed the matter arriving on the spot.

Sources said that Chairman of Ambassa Panchayat Samity Niranjan Paul, project land owner and local farmers remained present there. Engineer of the department Jayanta Debbarma could not abide by the condition and raised question why the farmers would not get water even after construction of diversion scheme. He asked the brick kiln owner to clean the soil from the drain as the owner blocked the way of water passage.

Jayanta Debbarma threatened the owner to file case against him. The accused Manoranjan Paul admitted that he filled the drain with soil.

However Engineer Jayanta Debbarma assured to solve the problem of farmers within one week after May 16 as digging soil is banned during election. He opined that the farmers will get water for irrigation after cleaning and repairing the drains of both sides of the diversion scheme.