Khantapada: A Rs 11 crore worth multi-purpose project that aimed at facilitating communication, farm welfare and flood control, lay defunct at Kalamgadia Pahi in Talapada panchayat under Remuna block in Balasore.
Farmers said if the project is made operational, it would benefit local farming. The government has, however, never thought of its restoration.
Reports said Kalamgadi Padhi is a cut-off village because of Kantiachira river. The river has posed commuting hurdles between Kalamgadia Pahi and Talapada. The village is 50 km from the block headquarters.
One has to cross the river to reach the village. As regular boat service is not available here, locals, schoolchildren and patients cross it with the help of thermocol rafts.
In 1990, then Chief Minister Biju Patnaik had taken note of this problem and approved a sluice gate project that would double up as a bridge. After a survey, the project was undertaken near the Jamuka outfall, the meeting place of Kanctiachira river and Coast canal in 1991 at a cost of Rs 11 crore. Surprisingly, its work was abandoned leading to its incomplete structure falling apart.
Locals said if the sluice gate had been completed, fishermen could have benefitted. People would have used it as a bridge, they added.
It is said at that time, prawn mafia who had acquired acres of land by setting up prawn gherries had created an obstruction leading to the project left incomplete. The result is that the Rs 11 crore project – a dream of Biju Babu—is rotting now, it is said.
Villagers, who have been facing problems daily, said steps should be taken to complete the incomplete project to facilitate communication.
They demanded that the district administration look into their demand and take steps to make use of the abandoned project.
Remuna BDO Sanjay Rout said he has recently assumed charge and will look into the issue for its immediate solution. PNN
