Farmers of Suragahalli, Gorahalli and Halaganahalli near Periyapatna staged a protest this morning as water entered their fields due to a lake breach. They protested against the authorities of Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltd. (KRDCL) and the contractors. The villagers said that the KRDCL contractors have carried out substandard works of the State Highway between Periyapatna and Hassan, a project worth Rs. 270 crore, with World Bank assistance. Instead of constructing concrete boundary to the lake to prevent a breach, authorities poured thousands of tonnes of mud on the banks of the lake. Due to heavy rain last week, the lake breached and water entered the fields, destroying standing crops, the villagers said. The villagers alleged that though the State Highway works were recently completed by KRDCL contractors, cracks have developed due to substandard works.
