Kaptipada: Hectares of farmland depending on Kal dam in Kaptipada area of Mayurbhanj district are deprived of irrigation facility as the dam has lost its water retention capacity, a report said.
It alleged that accumulated silt deposited by the rivers and creeks connected to the dam and non-repair of canals are its major problems.
Another problem is, Kushabhadra, Thakthaki and Kala rivers are eroding into their banks in the absence of spurs and embankments. Over the years, farmlands and houses have merged with rivers in riparian villages like Phulabadia, Goudagaon, Gohira, Kuagothana, Dasasahi, Machhia, Soubhagyadeipur, Baniagan, Jhinkapada, Pedagadi, Rathipur and Patapur.
In the monsoon, the problems of the people in these areas multiply. Many canals are choked with silt while the irrigation department has not carried out the maintenance work. As a result, farming is hit due to lack of water, villagers pointed out. Crores of rupees are being spent on canal renovation, but to no avail, they lamented.
The project was set up in 1973 in the area after locals had kept demanding for harnessing water rolling down from hills and rivers.
Former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik was then chairman of the Planning Board and laid the foundation stone for the dam at Chuinposi. Some people of JS Jamdiha, Chhanua, Badakhaldi, Chaturighat, Debla and Kolialam panchayats were displaced.
The project was completed in 1985 and used to provide water to 4,804 hectares. It has a 23.5km-long main canal and 26 branch canals with a total length of 51.67 km. The dam used to play a key role in promoting agriculture in Pingu, Nudadiha, Pedagadi, Bahubandh, Bhimatali, Khaladi and some parts of Udala NAC.
Over the years, crores of rupees have been spent for maintenance of the dam, but the irrigation has not improved in the area, the locals alleged.
In 2015-16, Rs 62.5 lakh was spent for the dam’s maintenance; Rs 15.8 lakh for road and bridge; Rs 35 lakh for peripheral development and eco-tourism and Rs 38 lakh for repairing.
In 2016-17, Rs 1.50 crore was spent. Besides, a Rs 1-crore proposal has been sent to the government to carry out various development works, said assistant engineer Gouranga Sahu.
PNN
