Nuapada: Even as Orissa and Chhattisgarh governments are in a face-off over several barrages across the Mahanadi, the neighbouring state is planning to build check dams across tributaries of river Jonk, which is said to be the lifeline for farmers in Nuapada district.
Nuapada shares borders with Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh. Reports said Nuapada administration has been building a check dam ot one side while the Mahasamund administration of Chhattisgarh has initiated efforts to build four check dams on its side.
The construction of four check dams had been undertaken a year ago. But after the Mahanadi controversy cropped up, the neighbouring state immediately halted the work and closed down the camps.
Now, Chhattisgarh has started the work again by setting up a camp. It has engaged scores of labourers in the work in a bid to hurriedly complete the work.
The people of fringes area in Nuapada are upset over the development and demanded that the district administration and the state government should take immediate steps to halt the dam construction.
Jonk originates from Sunabeda sanctuary and is connected with Natei nullah. People and in bordering villages of both states have been using the water of Natei nullah for agriculture and drinking purposes.
The Nuapada administration has built two check dams across the nullah. Farmers of Kendubahara, Amanara and other panchayats are irrigating their farmlands.
However, the Chhatishgarh administration had laid foundation stones for check dams one after another without approval of the Nuapada administration.
In January 2016, the irrigation department of Chhattisgarh started work on a check dam under MGNREGS on the outskirts of Khalana village at a cost of Rs 47.73 lakh. After two months, its work was stopped. Hemant Patel, who is monitoring the project, said Rs 5 lakh has been spent so far.
Labour leader Ranjan Patel said the government issued a directive to start work again about a week ago. Besides, work for three other dams have resumed at Agnukhar, Tarakkhar and Chhatarkhar.
When this correspondent asked the villagers of Khati about the projects, the latter said construction work is meant for providing earning opportunities to the locals.
On the other hand, Sarabang sarpanch Bharatlala Rout said Jonk is their lifeline, but the Chhatishgarh government has a conspiracy by deliberately building check dams on the upper reaches only to leave the river dry on the Orissa side.
The state government should take this seriously and put curbs on such dam building exercises by the Chhattisgarh government, Rout added. PNN
