Sambalpur: Construction of barrages on Mahanadi by the Chhattisgarh government has set alarm bells ringing among residents of Chaunrpur, about 22km from here.
Situated on the banks of Mahanadi, Chaunrpur under Dhankauda block and Sambalpur Municipal Corporation limits is divided into six wards and has a population of about 2,300. While 70 per cent of the population depends on agriculture, the remaining people earn their living by fishing in the river.
Our correspondent, during a visit to the village Saturday, learnt that the inhabitants are spending anxious moments after reports of construction of barrages on Mahanadi by Chhattisgarh surfaced. They are apprehensive that the neighbouring state’s move might spell doom for them as it will restrict water flow and ultimately dry up the river which has nourished and sustained them for generations.
The residents claimed that hundreds of villages situated on the banks of Mahanadi will be affected by the river projects of Chhattisgarh and people will lose their traditional occupation.
According to reports, Chhattisgarh government is constructing small and big dams on the upstream of Mahanadi, triggering panic among the people living on the downstream of the river in Orissa. While some projects have been completed, work on the remaining projects is going on in full swing. However, the ecological costs of the projects on Orissa are immense.
A drying Mahanadi will create a drought like condition in western Orissa.
Agricultural activities will be affected in Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Bolangir and Jharsuguda districts which are situated in the command area of Hirakud dam.
The barrage constructions will also have its impact on power production in Hirakud dam. Political parties instead of fighting among themselves should join hands and fight for the interests of the state,, the villagers said.
“I have been seeing the river for 46 years. Earlier, the riverbed had only sand but now rocks can be seen in the bed. The river has started getting dry, affecting farming and fishing,” said Bhagabatia Bag, a villager.
A woman, Pana Majhi, said, “My son used to fish in the river for a living. He used to earn anything between `150 and `200 per day. But now the catch has declined due to lack of water in Mahanadi.”
Suru Suna said, “I have been living here for the last 50 years. Earlier, the water used was crystal clear but now it has become muddy due to restricted flow of the river.” PNN
