Keonjhar: Uncertainty looms large over the ongoing Kanpur irrigation project work in Keonjhar district due to alleged government apathy while resentment is brewing among locals over the inordinate delay in its completion.
The problems in land acquisition and resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) of displaced people are said to be the major bottlenecks in the project.
Even after 40 years, the ambitious project being built across river Baitarani seems to be nowhere near completion in the near future.
The project is expected to irrigate 48,000 hectares of land in 238 villages. Over two lakh farmers in these villages have long been waiting for completion of the project. But, over the years, its cost has escalated so much that it would cost 20 times more than the original estimated cost of Rs 85 crore. While the cost had gone up to Rs 1801.15 crore in 2013, Rs 1583.11 crore has already been spent by March 31, 2018. Its cost will cross Rs 2000 crore in coming days.
While the work on main dam and canals has not ended, problems are continuing in land acquisition. Agitations by displaced people over R&R issues have also affected the progress of the work. The project has hit nine villages completely and seven villages partially. The State Rehabilitation Council has not yet sorted out the issues of the project oustees.
It has also been pointed out that due to defective design, the fault made in the spillway and foundation needs to be rectified. It will entail huge spending, a citizens’ forum, Keonjhar Nagarika Manch, alleged. The project’s catchment area has not been rightly mapped out while there is an inordinate delay in the work of spill channel bridge to be built across the National Highway-20.
Various outfits, political parties and citizens’ forums, including the Keonjhar Nagarika Manch, have long been demanding completion of the project, but their expectation has remained a mere hope.
PNN
