SUSHANT KUMAR JENA, OP
Kataka Sadar: Illegal encroachment of the Kathajodi riverbed under Kataka Sadar tehsil continues unabated, with buildings coming up on land close to the river channel. The growing settlements, particularly in the 42 Mouza area, have encouraged people to build houses on the fertile riverbed land, posing challenges to the repair and maintenance of the river embankment.
Despite a request from the Superintending Engineer of the Mahanadi South Division to the Kataka Sadar tehsildar for a joint survey, the exercise remains pending even after a year. The engineer had written to the tehsildar through letter No. 6280/2016 dated October 1, 2025, but no action has been taken so far.
As per the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), all land adjoining the river channel, whether government-owned or privately owned, is to remain under the control of the Irrigation Department. Any permanent construction on privately owned land in these areas will be treated as illegal, and the land can be used only for agricultural purposes. The tehsildar’s response to the issue could not be obtained.
Orissa POST – Odisha’s No.1 English Daily
