Ch’garh barrages on Tel river triggers new row

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Chandahandi: Even as there is no sign of an early settlement of the ongoing dispute over Mahanadi river water sharing between Odisha and Chhattisgarh, another row has surfaced between the two neighbouring states with the latter constructing barrages on the Tel River.
It is apprehended that the barrages over Tel River would led to the submergence of 150 acres of farmland in Khaparadihi and Gambhariguda villages under Chandahandi block in Nabrangpur district of Odisha, hitting the farmers in the state further. Already, barrages across Mahanadi upstream have led to water scarcity in Odisha and the crisis is likely to deepen with the construction of the mega irrigation project.
Interestingly, the Nabrangpur district administration was unaware of the development till recently despite the fact that the Chhattisgarh government has already started work on the irrigation project.
The Chhattisgarh government has sanctioned Rs 18 crore for the first phase of the project and a private firm Amit Consruction has been assigned for the work. The project is set on the confluence of Tel and Barahi rivers. The project aims to irrigate over 3,000 acres agricultural land in the neighbouring state.
While, Chhattisgarh had planned the project several years back to provide water for irrigation in 30 villages under Deobhog block in the state, Odisha will have to bear the brunt.
The project will put thousands of farmers in Khaparadihi Mouza area under Chandahandi block, who are dependent on Tel River for agriculture, in trouble. Moreover, several villages along the border under Chandahandi block will be marooned if the flow of Tel river water is obstructed, the locals fear.
Notably, Tel is a tributary of Mahanadi flowing through Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Balangir and Sonepur districts of Odisha.