Chhatrapur: A proposal to form the Rushikulya Development Authority (RDA) for development of the Rushikulya river, improving irrigation facility and drinking water supply to some parts of Ganjam district has been shelved. A proposal in this regard was sent to the state government for approval two years ago, but there has been no response. Two years ago, during a meeting of the Ganjam Zilla Parishad a proposal was presented to form the Rushikulya Development Authority in line with Chilika Development Authority (CDA). It was done so that the authority could explore irrigation potential and supply of drinking water from the river. At the meeting, a minister, an MP, MLAs, chairpersons of 22 blocks and Zilla Parishad members unanimously agreed to the proposal.
In another meeting of the Zilla Parishad recently, members discussed the irrigation issues and raised question on the status of the government’s response about the Rusikulya Development Authority proposal. The members were informed that the government has not taken any step on the matter.
ZP members said that due to lack of coordination among various departments, issues related to irrigation and drinking water supply from Rushikulya river have remained unresolved.
Even though the Rushikulya major irrigation project is functional, farmers still face water scarcity in both the Rabi and Kharif seasons. The water available from the project is not sufficient enough to meet irrigational needs of the agriculture in some pockets of the district.
Rushikulya river flows through Chhatrapur, Ganjam, Purusottampur and Aska blocks. The river meets drinking water needs of Berhampur, Gopalpur, Chhatrapur, Berhamur University, and Army Air Defence College at Golabandh.
It was also stated that as the water level in the river is decreasing every by year, three wells along its banks have virtually dried up. Also the Hanspur drinking water project has been affected due to the decreasing water level.
Ganjam District Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange meanwhile said that the state government is giving a lot of importance to irrigation. Review meetings will be held with various departments every month to assess the situation in the district. Sources in the Irrigation department said that a dam will be built across Rushikulya at Kansarigand at a cost of Rs 240 crore.