The lift Irrigation (lI) system in the Ganjam district has virtually collapsed. According to information available, about 500 out of 1,311 lI points are currently non-functional. About 114 lI points are reportedly dead for last several years.
lack of adequate funds in Pani Panchayats, mismanagement and apathetic attitude of the concerned department substantially has caused the problem, sources said. While Rangailunda block under Gopalpur constituency does not have a single lI project, the number of lI project operating in Kukudakhandi, Khallikote, Kabisuryanagar and Buguda blocks is quite negligible.
Similarly, there are only three lI points in Khallikote block as a result of which the farmers in the areas have been demanding more facilities for last several years. But the repeated demands of the farmers have only fallen on the deaf ears of the Government.