Balasore: Residents of five panchayats, namely Kathasagada, Mandarapur, Naharapatna, Dharampur and Dahapada are worried over possible floods, as many of the villages under these panchayats are located alongside the river Budhabalanga which flows through Remuna and Sadar blocks of Balasore district.
As retaining walls of the river are lying open in these areas, it might pose a threat to the life and property of the villagers. In the wake of rainy season, flood like situations cannot be ruled out as the irrigation department has not carried out stone packing.
However, the department did get packed 150-metre of the embankment with stones in Kathasagada and Mandarapur areas in 2018. A tender worth Rs 16 lakh was floated and a contractor named Markand Behera was awarded that January 30.
It is alleged that the work has been continuing at a snail’s pace and thus it may miss the July 29 deadline.
Interestingly, departmental authorities have not yet warned the contractor for delay in work, which speaks of their inertia, alleged villagers.
In a situation if flood hits the river, it might cause huge damage in Kathasagada and Mandarapur areas. As the riverbank is receding every year due to flood, about 40 to 50 large trees are submerging into the river. Furthermore, a flood situation might devastate more than 6,000 hectare of agricultural fields in this area.
Addressing this issue, sarpanch of Mandarapur, Sujata Das, said, “On learning that the contractor is not carrying out stone packing work according to approved project estimation, local villagers brought this matter to the knowledge of departmental engineer, Harekrushna Dhal and he had ordered to change the size of stones.”
Since then the contractor has stopped the stone packing work.
As a result, the villages coming under Kathasagada, Mandarapur, Naharapatna, Dharampur and Dahapada panchayats will be completely devastated if a flood occurs, Das added.
Giving his views, the irrigation department SDO Nirmal Kanti Jena said, “The contractor has already started the stone packing work, but it was delayed due to the last general elections. The contractor has also applied for extension of time. The work will be completed soon.”
PNN
