Boinda: Fed up with the apathy of the district administration over proper irrigation facility for agricultural lands, villagers mostly farmers of Dalimura village of Oskapali panchayat under Kishorenagar block in Angul district have set an example for others by constructing a four-kilometre long canal which took them a span of four years.
The canal was inaugurated Wednesday on the occasion of Diwali.
“Almost all villagers of Kishorenagar block earn a livelihood by cultivating paddy. A check dam was built near Dalimura by obstructing the water of Sahajabahali canal few years ago to provide irrigation facilities to Dalimura, Oskapali, Manikapur, Bharatpur and Nabaghanapara villages. Though the canal was not constructed later, the agricultural lands in these villages were left deprived of irrigation. Despite repeated requests to concerned authorities and politicians, no steps were taken for the same. Fed up of the apathetic attitude, Dalimura locals also arranged funds from different organisations and initiated the construction of the canal in the year 2014,” said one of the villagers.
After completion of the canal construction work, Block Chairperson Babita Pradhan graced the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest unveiled the canal. Among others Bamur Range Forester Jayant Kumar Das, Satyananda Pradhan, Antaryami Sahu and Thanasundar Dehuri were present.
Reportedly, locals were rejoiced after irrigation was provided to at least five villages on the first day. This unity of the villagers not only inspired others from neighbours villagers but received applauses from all quarters.
“This indeed is an inspiring deed by the villagers. The administration at least should learn something now by seeing the villagers,” a local of a neighbour village.
PNN
