Kendrapada: Protesting the proposed mega drinking water project on Kharasrota river in the district, local women under the banner of Kharasrota Banchao Sangram Samiti on Sunday observed ‘Jal Satyagraha’ in the river at Bharigada village under Rajkanika block of the district.
Standing in knee-deep water in the river the samiti members vowed to oppose any attempt to divert water from Kharasrota.
The protesters demanded that before taking up the project for diversion of water from the river, the government should initiate steps for construction of a project in the lower catchment of the river for supply of drinking water in Aul and Rajkanika.
“We will do everything to save our river. If required, we will not hesitate to sacrifice our life. Kharasrota is the lifeline of our locality. We will not allow any attempts to dry up the river,” said a member of KBSS.
The mega drinking water project, proposed to be constructed on Kharasrota river at an estimated cost of Rs 892 crore, will supply drinking water to Bhadrak and Balasore districts.
In November too, protesting the project people formed a 2 km-long human chain, under the banner of KBSS at Rajkanika in Kendrapada district.
