Keonjhar: The Kanjhari Dam in Keonjhar district is facing a threat from the movement of heavy vehicles. Vehicular movement was banned on the dam earlier as it was a prohibited zone, but plying of vehicles has become a routine now, a report said.
An all-weather bridge was built near the dam, but it was washed away by the heavy flow of water in 2012. As a result, the movement of vehicles came to a halt.
Locals faced a lot of commuting problems and had agitated demanding repair of the bridge. However, the authorities of the irrigation department did not repair the bridge and allowed vehicles to move on the dam.
Locals alleged that crores were being spent for the dam and canals but no attention was paid to repair of the bridge.
“The department hid its fault and allowed vehicles likes buses to ply on the dam, which is dangerous,” said social activist Muralidhar Mohant. The dam is likely to weaken due to the movement of heavy vehicles, he added.
Locals said the department is in deep slumber and had shrugged off its responsibility by posting guards at both ends of the dam.
Since 2012, local people and farmers of Raghunathpur, Kaliabeda, Chaka, Majuripasi, Dumuria, Khadiadiha, Kadalipasi, Jajpasi, Kanipasi, Maidankel and Kendeipasi villages are facing commuting problems due to the absence of the bridge. They say they have to take a detour to reach the Bankapatuli market, Ghatagaon and their farmlands every day.
After the collapse of the bridge the crops in the area were badly damaged. Some farmers said that they have not received compensation for their loss.
There was a sudden inflow of water into the dam in 2012. The department released water and it washed away the iron bridge below the dam.
SDO of Kanjahri Dam, Swaraj Nayak, said the cost of the bridge has been estimated and work will be undertaken soon. Vehicles are allowed on other dams of the state, and there is no danger to the Kanjhari dam, he added.
PNN
