Hatiota: Locals of Hatiota panchayat under Polsara block in Ganjam district have alleged that the much-awaited Pranadeipur minor irrigation dam project, which would solve the irrigation problems of farmers in the block, is yet to be completed due to snail pace work.
The foundation stone of the project was laid by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik two years ago, but till now it is incomplete.
Though the work had started after seven months of preliminary ground work by the contractor, some portions of the work are yet to be completed for which the irrigation dam was not able to provide any service to villagers. It has created doubts in the minds of people about completion of the work within the deadline.
The contractor has not yet constructed the iron gate for releasing water to farmlands, the roof of the dam and adjoining canals, for which it is impossible to release water from the dam.
Farmers of Hatiota, Balichhai, Kaniari, Subalaya, Magurapu, Kalmba, Tentulia and Samtarapalli can benefit from the dam. The delay in its construction is increasing our troubles, the farmers said.
Sources said more than 500 hectares of farmland in the block can be irrigated by this project. Crops like paddy, moong, black gram, millet and chhana are cultivated by farmers here. These kharif crops need more water as the harvesting time of these crops is long.
The kharif crops will give farmers profitable results if it faces a good monsoon. But as monsoon is uncertain in our state, these crops need proper irrigation channels.
Villagers tried to draw the attention of the district officials and complained to PWD department against the construction company, but they were ignored.
When contacted, assistant engineer Gunanidhi Parija said the project needs more funds. “We have already sent a letter to the state government in this regard. After the release of funds we will start further construction,” Parija added.