Khandapara: The Hirakud Dam project was started in 1948 and completed in 1957 for the growth and development of India in general and Odisha in particular.
In recent years, Chhattisgarh has built several small and big upstream projects on Mahanadi. On the contrary, in the last six decades, no major project has been built in Odisha. Meanwhile, the inter-state dispute over Mahanadi river water has become a burning issue.
Notably, despite the surveys conducted for constructing barrages at Tikarpada, Manibhadra and Padmabati, these proposed projects suffered due to red-tapism.
Similarly, the Bruttanga bridge project has not taken off amidst controversy and inertia of politicos. Many feel that had it been undertaken it would have immensely contributed to agriculture growth.
Furthermore, the local people have been demanding conservation of river water by building sluice gates over Lunijhara, Kusumi and Kuanria rivers at Madhapurpata, Kanteinala, Barakolipata, Manipurapata, Sadheipata of Pathara Chakada panchayat and Bhokilapada of Jagannath Prasad panchayat under Khandapara area.
According to sources, a major amount of upstream Mahanadi river water is flowing down the sea. In Odisha, out of 95,540 million cubic metres of surface rainwater, 50,640 million cubic metres of water is going down the river.
Apparently, water crisis has mounted in the state mostly due to inadequate conservation and inept management of Mahanadi water. Construction of multiple barrages at different places over Mahanadi would help resolve irrigation problems and support agricultural activities in the state.
Had the state government utilised river water of Mahanadi and its tributaries in various fields like agriculture, fishing, irrigation and industries by conserving the water through different projects, progress of the state could have been accelerated.
PNN