Junagarh: Abrupt stoppage of power production in Indravati hydroelectric multipurpose project has left thousands of farmers in Kalahandi district in distress.
Irrigation in hundreds of hectares through right and left canals of the project has been severely affected due to the unexpected decision of the concerned authorities, farmers alleged.
According to reports, paddy growers raise rabi crop depending on the irrigation facilities extended by Indravati project. Every year, water is released after January 15 and accordingly the farmers adjust their harvesting period. However, a decision was taken at a district level meeting in last December to release the water January 1 this year.
Taking the decision into account, many farmers started growing saplings for rabi paddy using water pumps. However, Orissa Hydro Power Corporation, which is in charge of power generation, suddenly stopped production leaving farmers in the lurch. Flow of water in both the canals has stopped following the stoppage of power production.
It may be noted that about 2,400 hectares in Junagarh block get irrigated through the right canal every year. However, the department aimed to add 600 more hectares this year, SDO Gobardhan Nayak said. The target can only be achieved if nearly 200 cumecs of water is released in right canal, he added.
At present, the canal receives only 60 cumecs of water which is way inadequate to save the rabi crop, sources said. Lack of coordination between irrigation and power generating officials has adversely affected the prospect of crops in the region, it was learnt.
When contacted, chief manager Mahendra Kumar Das of Mukhiguda section of the project, said State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) has the final say in power generation.
The production cannot be increased without a specific direction from SLDC, he added.
Meanwhile, the executive engineer of Upper Indravati Left Canal Division-1 has approached the collector to intervene and give a direction to OHPC to increase the quantum of water released into the canals to save rabi crops in the district. PNN
