Komna: There seems to be no end to the woes of the people displaced by the Lower Indra Irrigation Project in Komna and Kharial blocks in Nuapada district as its water level kept rising, threatening the lives of locals.
Five houses in Kalimati and Jhalkusam villages were swept away Tuesday in the floodwaters, a report said. The affected persons were seen leaving the villages and taking shelter in temporary sheds along roadside and underneath trees.
The rapid rise in the dam water-level has spread panic as locals feared that the villages might be flooded. The affected families were those of Purnachandra Chinda, Chakra Chinda, Ainla Chinda, Chabila Chinda and Siaram Majhi.
The Lower Indra Irrigation Project was constructed just 15km away from Komna block office. In a bid to supply water for irrigation in Nuapada and Bolangir districts, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the project in 2000.
Funded by the World Bank, the original estimate of the project was Rs 211.70 crore, but it has escalated to Rs 1,624 crore now due to delay in construction work, it was learnt. At least 31 villages were affected by the project; of them Lambipani, Kalimati, Sanabahali, Samaleipadar, Jhakusham, Mathiapadar and Kotamal were the worst hit.
While the project displaced 4,865 residents, including 2,224 tribals, the administration rehabilitated 3,577. The plight of the remaining 1,298 seems to end never. They are denied basic education, healthcare, communication, electricity supply and drinking water facilities while the administration continues to give them false hopes, a report said. PNN
