Kaptipada: In a striking example of systemic indifference that has plagued the administration, a check dam built by the government last year at Jamudiha panchayat in Kaptipada block of Mayurbhanj district has allegedly turned out to be a failure due to faulty construction.
Villagers allege that several acres of land that were meant to be irrigated by the check dam continue to be deprived of irrigation thanks to the botched up project.
According to reports, the government spent Rs 40 lakh on the construction of the check dam.
The minor irrigation department had laid the check dam across the Thakthaki river near Kantiali village with an aim of providing irrigation coverage to 100 acres of land. However, locals alleged that the construction work was botched up, with the officials reportedly ignoring suggestions by local farmers.
“Now, there is no irrigation facility for over 30 acres of land because the dam was not built at the place that was suggested by local farmers. The contractor who was assigned the project built the dam at a place of his choosing in order to save money,” alleged farmers Krushnachandra Biswal, Abhiram Palbabu and Pitambar Nayak.
Land which is lying towards the upper reaches of the check dam continues to remain unirrigated. The farmers said they were initially hopeful of a turnaround in their fortunes, but were now resigned to their fate.
They said though they had repeatedly conveyed their apprehensions regarding the construction of the dam to the contractor, the latter paid no heed to their complaints. Farmers Prafulla Senapati, Ranjan Khandei and Ganeswar Senapati said there is not even an information plaque regarding the details of the project.
Not even one year has passed since its construction that the dam has developed cracks at several places, the farmers said, adding that the canal through which water will be released to the farmland is yet to be complete.
Many farmers have sought more information on the cost of the project by filing RTI pleas and have even drawn the attention of the collector and the Vigilance department to their problems.
An assistant engineer of the department however refuted the allegations, saying that construction was done in a proper manner. The official said it was not possible to build the dam in the upper reaches of the river, and added that the water will be drained properly and that there would be no problems for farmers.
He also added the department will monitor its function for one year on how much water it retains and how much is being released. Then only will the department consider increasing its height, he said.
However, farmers said that even after one year, nothing has been done. The assistant engineer said cracks in the dam wall will be investigated. PNN
