Post News Network
Balichandrapur, Sept 1: The state government has planned to renovate the Pattamundai canal, which was built in 1886, at a plan outlay of Rs117 crore.
The news has spread cheers among the farming community while 646 traders who have their business establishments alongside the canal are apprehensive of losing their jobs once the renovation work begins. This has triggered widespread resentment among the traders as they alleged that the administration has started preparing for their eviction without making necessary arrangements for their rehabilitation.
Starting from Jagatpur on the outskirts of Cuttack and extending up to Alava in Pattamundai of Kendrapara district, the canal is termed the lifeline of undivided Cuttack district. The canal’s role was instrumental in improving the state of agriculture in the area. Water of the 85 km long canal was used to irrigate over 40,000 hectare agriculture land. The part of the canal extending from Jagatpur to Balichandrapur in Jajpur lies under the jurisdiction of the executive engineer, Mahanadi North Division, while the rest portion from Balichandrapur to Alava lies with the Kendrapara irrigation division.
However, with the passage of time, there was a decline in the water retaining capacity of the canal. The renovation of the canal became a necessity after mud and silt left it dry in most places.
Sources said as per the plan, the canal and all its branches will be dredged to increase their depth while repair work will be undertaken on the embankments. The decision to renovate the canal was taken by the state government in 2013 for which the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide necessary funds.
A plan outlay of Rs 70 crore has been prepared for the main canal while its branches will be developed at a cost of Rs 47 crore. Mahanadi north division has enlisted 395 traders for eviction while Kendrapara irrigation division has prepared a list 395 traders for the purpose.
Basant Samal, a cycle repairing shop owner in Balichandrapur market, termed the move as illegal as he has been earning his livelihood working at the shop for over 30 years.
Amarendra Singh, a local, said it was an inhuman move as the administration is preparing to evict shopkeepers without making arrangements for their rehabilitation.