Asia's second-largest irrigation scheme in Assam affects water supply due to negligence

The second largest irrigation scheme in Asia, located in Hatimura, is on the verge of collapse due to departmental neglect and mismanagement. Despite its vast potential, the Hatimura irrigation scheme has failed to deliver water to the fields of Kaliabor, leaving farmers in distress.

Established in 1972, the Kaliabor Lift Irrigation Scheme was designed to supply water to 8,480 hectares of agricultural land. Five years later, in 1977, the Kalang Lift Irrigation Scheme was initiated to serve an additional 21,000 hectares. These two schemes were later merged and renamed the 'Kaliabor-Kalang Connected Lift Irrigation Scheme' to enhance efficiency and coverage.

However, the reality has fallen far short of expectations. The department can operate only three out of six high-capacity pumps, severely limiting water supply.

Furthermore, the irrigation drains, crucial for water distribution, are clogged with garbage and overgrown vegetation due to lack of maintenance.

The situation worsened in 2017 when devastating floods caused by Hatimura Mathauri Singi breached many parts of the irrigation drains. Despite the passage of seven years, repairs remain incomplete, with numerous sections still overflowing and unusable.

The cumulative impact of these issues is that the vast irrigation infrastructure, once a beacon of hope for Kaliabor's agricultural community, now stands as a symbol of inefficiency. Farmers continue to struggle without timely access to water, affecting their crop yields and livelihoods.

Urgent intervention and substantial repairs are essential to revive the irrigation scheme and fulfill its original promise of supporting Kaliabor's agricultural landscape. Until then, the region's farmers remain at the mercy of an ailing irrigation system.