Jajpur/Pritipur: Shoddy repairing and improper construction works on embankments are the main reasons behind the floods that cause havoc in Jajpur district every year, sources said Monday. The Odisha government is spending huge amounts to control floods. However, despite repairing the embankments of Brahmani, Baitarani, Kharasrota rivers and their distributaries, floods have continued to devastate riparian villages every year. The sources said this has happened due to sub-standard work while repairing the embankments. The irregularities in repairing work on the left dyke of Kharasrota river embankment in Binjharpur block is a case in point. People have alleged that the soil used in repairing the embankment is of very poor quality.
As a result, the soil gets washed away due to rainfall. The contractor is using the soil available nearby while repairing the embankment instead of transporting better quality from other places. Sources said that the contractor is working as per his own wishes as departmental officials are not visiting the place and supervising the quality of work. Residents of Binjhar pur, Sayeedpur, Kalyanpur, Ghatiali, Guhali, Fatepur, Bachhala, Kaina, Raghunathpur, Mansara, Olei, Chandanpur, Singhpur and Jari panchayats always remain apprehensive the moment the Kharasrota river starts to swell.
Similar irregularities have also been reported in the construction of the left embankment of Kharasrota river from Suar village to Bagamara ghat. The Odisha government sanctioned Rs 20 crore for construction of an 8.5 metres wide embankment and laying of tar road of 5.5 metres over it.
However, such is the quality of construction that the road develops dents and potholes the moment rains start. Significantly the work has been done the Roads and Buildings (R&B) department with funds from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). The residents of the villages living close to the embankment have demanded a high-level probe into the irregularities and action against the wrongdoers. Jajpur district has over 400 kilometres of embankment to protect the land mass from the fury of floods. Funds are available from Special Relief Commission (SRC). Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to protect and strengthen these embankments. Sources alleged that no one is interested in providing a permanent solution to the annual flood problem. Locals said that undue favours are being shown to a particular group of contractors despite their work not being up to the desired quality.
As a result, lives and properties of people are being put at risk. Breaches continue to occur on these embankments and the riparian villages get flooded every year. They blamed politicians for their predicament. However, this has failed to wake up the political leaders who appoint their followers as contractors and reap the benefits of commission, sources said. Even though the matter has been reported to higher-ups, no action has been taken, they added.
Reports said that over 25 breaches occurred on the river embankments in Jajpur district in August 2020. The Odisha government had then sanctioned over Rs 50 crore for repairing these embankments. No one knows how the amount has been spent, but breaches have occurred in 2021 and this year also. When contacted, assistant engineer Siddharth Sekhar Jena of Binjharpur R &B section said the embankment repairing works is being done as per estimates and being monitored on a regular basis. He ruled out receiving any complaint on irregularities.