Chandbali: Natia multi-purpose irrigation project across river Salandi has been lying incomplete for the last three years, leaving thousands of farmers of this block in Bhadrak district in the lurch, a report said.
The government had earlier taken up two irrigation projects—one at Haladiganda and another at Galia creek – to boost agriculture, but both the projects failed to deliver a few years after being launched.
When the World Bank-funded Natia irrigation project work was undertaken, farmers had pinned a lot of hope on it. But, with the project remaining incomplete for three years, resentment is brewing among farmers.
The approach roads to the project have not been completed as yet while the contactor abandoned the work before fixing shutters in the sluices and constructing foot bridges and culverts, officials said.
“Fresh tenders were floated for foot bridges and culverts while the mechanical division of the irrigation department has been assigned to fix shutters of the sluices,” said sub-divisional officer (SDO) Rajkishore Sahu.
The cost of culverts and foot bridges was estimated at Rs 2 crore while Rs 65 lakh will be spent towards fixing shutters.
Apart from irrigation, the project is aimed at draining out floodwaters from over a thousand hectares of farmland in the area during the rainy season.
The project, once completed, will facilitate irrigation from river Salandi in panchayats like Madhapur, Ghatapur, Bhuinbruti, Mate, Bhatapada, and Nalgunda. Besides, 51-km canals have been dug out at a cost of Rs 4.53 crore.
Water of Baitarani, Mantei and creeks is of no use for farmers as it remains saline throughout the year. This project is expected to supply fresh water from Baitarani to farmlands through the Natia creek.
The department has estimated that in kharif season, 1,560 hectares of farmlands will get irrigational coverage while the project will irrigate 977 hectares in rabi season. Besides, it will help drain out floodwaters from 8,000 hectares of land in rainy season. PNN
