BHUBANESWAR: Even as the dispute over Mahanadi river water between Odisha and Chhattisgarh continues, the Chhatisgarh government closed all the gates of the Kalma barrage for two days in the second week of December severely affecting the flow of water to the Hirakud dam.
All the gates of the Kalma barrage were closed on December 12 and 13, 2016 as a result of which flow of water to Mahanadi river was drastically reduced. Taking strong exception to the decision of the government to close the gates, the BJD today said it will further strengthen the case of Odisha filed in the Supreme Court.
"The flow reduces after the gates of only barrage is closed. What will be the situation after the completion six other barrages which are being constructed by the Chhattisgarh government," BJD spokesperson Shashi Bhusan Behera said.
Behera demanded that construction of all barrages should be stopped by the Chhattisgarh as Odisha government has already moved the Supreme Court over the issue. The BJP, however, said that the state government should carry out a survey to ascetain the quantum of flow of water to Mahanadi which will be reduced. "The state government should make an assessment of the situation," BJP national secretary Suresh Pujari said.
The Mahanadi basin authorities have submitted a proposal to the government to construct gauge site in the downstream of Kalma to observe the flow of water into Hirakud.
A mega human chain was organised today by several social organisations of both
States at Kanakatora on the border of Chhattisgarh and Odisha. All the outfits which organised the human chain under the banner of ‘Mahanadi Bachao and Jibika Bachao’ demanded a special policy on water. The criticised government of both the states for construction of barrages on the Mahanadi river to provide water to industrial houses.
“The blame game has started between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The two States are competing between themselves to provide water from Mahanadi to industries. That is the reason which put the river and Hirakud in danger”, Lingaraj, Convenor of Western Odisha Farmers' Association said.