SALEPUR: Resentment is brewing among local farmers over apathy of the Water Resources Department towards maintenance of a branch canal of Kendrapara main canal. Due to lack of repair and maintenance, the left side embankment of the three-km Number 9(E) branch canal, stretching from Brajarajpatana to Nuagaon, is losing its strength.
Unable to hold the minimum water flow, the dilapidated canal embankment has been breached several times resulting in crop loss.
In February, a small hole was found on the left embankment near village Patasura. Due to lack of repair, the hole gradually became huge and the embankment was breached. Local farmers had to bear loss as canal water inundated their Moong crop.
Farmers of both Nischintakoili and Mahanga blocks, who depend on this canal for irrigation, said they have approached the Irrigation Sub-Divisional office at Chhata and its divisional office at Kendrapara to repair the breach since February in vain.
In April, a group of farmers met the then Executive Engineer of Kendrapara Irrigation Division Pitambar Panda and requested him to repair the embankment. Considering the plight of the farmers, Panda directed SDO of Chhata Irrigation Sub-Division to repair the breach immediately. But thanks to callous attitude of the Sub-Divisional Officer, repair work of the embankment is yet to be taken up.
SDO of Chhata Irrigation Sub-Division Banka Bihari Samal said there is no fund to carry out the repair work.