Hatadihi/Keonjhar: Strong resentment is brewing after the Hadagarh dam in Hatadihi block, a prominent tourist spot in Keonjhar district, has been locked for visitors. Situated on Salandi River flowing through a green and hilly landscape, the dam attracts lakhs of tourists every year. It is well known as a tourist destination and visitors from Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Bhadrak districts throng here throughout the year to enjoy its natural environment. “Tourists have been denied access. This has led to intense dissatisfaction among them and local residents.
Besides, tribal people staying in the forest surrounding the villages, who use the dam road, are also facing difficulties,” said Budhiram Purty, a local tribal leader. According to local residents, tourists enjoy the blue waters of Hadagarh Dam as they go on walks in the dam area. Picnickers feast on the banks of the river below the dam area. With so many tourists coming to this area, many small traders of the locality earn a livelihood. Even the traders in Hadagarh market do good business. According to data from the Water Resources department, some students of the Bhadrak area came to visit the dam June 12. Two students had gone for a bath near the zero point at the end of the dam and drowned. The zero point area is under the Forest department.
Since then, the Irrigation department has locked the dam. Villagers of Dalki, Pitanau, Mallipashi, Ratnamara situated on the other side of the dam and surrounded by forests use the dam bridge road to travel. They have also opposed such a decision of the Irrigation department as they are facing difficulties and have to travel 3 km more in the forest. Assistant Engineer of the Irrigation department, Pradeept Kumar Mohapatra told the media that this decision has been taken as per the guidelines of the department. It will remain closed till the department’s further order.
While the tourist area of Hadagarh brings a unique experience to tourists due to its natural beauty, there is a question about how justified it is to keep it locked and out of bounds for tourists. There is a demand to open it immediately by local people’s representatives like Nirupma Nandy, Sarpanch of Hadagarh GP and Jayanthi Samal of Sadha GP. Anandapur MLA Abhimanyu Sethy said, “I will discuss the matter with the Forest and Water Resource department for its early opening.”