Bahanaga: Coast Canal, a British era waterway of the east coast of India, that has played a crucial role in agricultural prosperity of the region in past and is reminiscent of the rich heritage of the state, has become a victim of mindless administrative decisions.
A road under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has been laid on the canal near Balarampur in this block in Balasore district which has angered farmers of the area, even as the 121-km-long water body is in a shambles due to lack of de-siltation.
Earlier, Talapada panchayat officials had constructed a bridge and road about five years ago. The irrigation department then probed the matter and dismantled the bridge and removed the road.
The ongoing construction of road in Bahanaga has triggered resentment among farmers as they still depend on this canal to raise crops, it was learnt.
The British government had excavated the canal in 1866 as part of the ‘food for work’ programme when the state faced a devastating famine, locally known as the ‘Na-anka Durbhikya’, a major event in the history of Orissa.
It is said that at least a million people, about a third of the population of the state at that time, lost their lives due to starvation. Left with no option, the British administration launched the canal project to create jobs for the people and bail out the farming community.
Besides, the canal, just 500 mt away from the sea shore, played a significant role in the release of rain water and prevention of saline water. The British administration also introduced launch service in the canal to ferry raw material. The Coast Canal regulated the water flow in river Kanshabansha and Jamuka canal at that time.
However, the British administration stopped maintaining the canal in 1907 following which the water body started losing its importance in the district.
Though an important event of the state’s history is associated with this canal, it has now become redundant for the government, some farmers alleged.
Apart from employment generation, the agriculture sector would receive much needed boost if the canal is renovated and made operational again, said locals.
Sanatan Malik, a fisherman and a farmer of Balarampur village, said the canal would be of great help for the drought-affected farmers along the coast.
It will also encourage farmers to go for two crop cultivation, said another farmer Ananda Prasad Mallik.
When asked about the construction of a road on the canal, rural development department junior engineer Anakar Jena said the road already existed there and the department has only laid murram to improve its condition.
Acknowledging the illegal construction of road on the canal at some places, assistant engineer Janmejaya Dutta of irrigation department said a year ago Balasore MP Rabindra Jena had sent a proposal to the Centre for re-excavation of the canal. Once it is approved, the renovation work would resume and the roads would be removed, Dutta added. PNN
