BHUBANESWAR: Even as the tribunal on Mahanadi river water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh has started functioning, construction of another barrage over Tel river by the latter has come to light.
The barrage being constructed by Chhattisgarh Government on the confluence of Tel river, a major tributary of Mahanadi and Barahi rivers will affect people living in Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Balangir and Sonepur districts of Odisha. Though Chhattisgarh government has started work on the project, barely 500 metres from Khaparadihi village in Chandahandi block of Nabarangpur district long back, the State Government was not aware of the development till recently.
Chhattisgarh Government has set a target to irrigate around 3,000 hectares by this project for which `18 crore has been sanctioned in Chhattisgarh budget. There will be no spill way or canal system in the project and underground pipelines will be laid to irrigate farm lands.
Criticising Odisha Government for its silence over the issue, president of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) Niranjan Patnaik said the four districts will turn completely dry in the non-monsoon period. Stating that fishermen and farmers will be the worst sufferers, Patnaik said vast area of Chandahandi block in Nabarangpur district will be marooned.
Patnaik demanded that the Odisha Government put this before the Mahanadi river water dispute tribunal for settlement. Stating that Chhattisgarh Government should stop monopoly over Mahanadi river system, he requested Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to raise the issue in proper forum in the interest of Odisha.