Kashinagar: Villagers of Palsingh under this block in Gajapati district are worried that their village would one day go under the marauding river Banshadhara.
Their fear is not unfounded and it is rooted in the proposed Katragarh project in Andhra Pradesh. Whether or not the construction of the project near Neredi in AP is undertaken, the apprehension of Palsingh, Badigaon, Sara and a few other villages getting submerged in the Banshadhara is fast gaining ground.
These villages are located near the proposed project area and get badly hit whenever there is a flood situation. The villagers pointed out that the state government should take some steps to mitigate their problems.
Palsingh is on the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border and around 500 people from 80 families are residing there. The village is devoid of any of the developmental projects of the state government, some residents alleged. Moreover, they are worried that Banshadhara would swallow their village one day.
Andhra Pradesh border is just 1 km away from the village. A village — Battili in Andhra — shares the border with Palsingh. Though both the villages are closer by location, when it comes to developmental activities, Battili is far ahead of its neighbour.
“We feel sorry (for ourselves) to see the villagers across the border have access to all facilities. Their government is undertaking various developmental projects in their village. On the other hand, we are at the receiving end. The developmental works here are a pipe dream for us,” alleged Palsingh village head R Paparao.
Three days ago, a team of Odisha officials from the water resources and irrigation department visited the village to take stock of the situation. A committee was also formed to find out a solution to Banshadhara issue. However, the villagers raised apprehension over the rehabilitation measures.
“If we face displacement, there will be a major uprising. We have another option open and that is amalgamation with Andhra,” villagers Maleshu Behera, Abhimanyu, Gaud, Raju Behera, Seemadri Behera and Majhi Gaud pointed out.
A team of Banshadhara Bachao Andolan had visited Palsingh January 13 and had a discussion with the villagers. They urged someone from the team to spearhead the uprising. As the first step, one village committee each had been formed at Palsingh and Badigaon villages.
“Soon such committees are going to be formed at Sara and other villages. As the Pongal festival is over, the Banshadhara Bachao Andolan will be intensified,” the villagers said.
PNN