Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has issued a show-cause notice to a private hydropower company for allegedly causing floods in Kendujhar district by opening the gates of a barrage at Anandapur without prior intimation, an official said.
The notice was issued to Baitarani Power Projects Pvt Ltd (BPPL), asking it to explain the circumstances under which it suddenly opened the sluice gates while the river was already in spate downstream.
The company was also asked to explain why legal action should not be taken against it for allegedly putting people’s lives at risk through “irresponsible” actions, the official said.
Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh P Patil said the government was considering strong action against the company and had allowed it to explain its position.
“The government will decide on further action after examining the company’s response,” he said.
Patil said flood management was affected as the company discharged excess water from the barrage without informing the Keonjhar district administration in advance.
The notice was issued by engineer-in-chief of the Water Resources Department Dillip Kumar Rout, who said such random operation of the gates was leading to an uncontrolled flood situation downstream of the barrage.
The move comes amid concerns over the impact of the barrage gate operation on areas downstream.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said it was not the first time the private company had acted irresponsibly.
“Earlier too, the company had caused such activities,” the minister said.
Officials said Baitarani Power Projects Pvt Ltd operates a 24-MW small run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant on the river at Singhanali village in Kendujhar district.
Company officials were not available for comment.
