Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will investigate any possible role that a private hydropower plant may have had in connection with recent floods in Odisha’s Kendujhar district.
Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari has asked the Kendujhar Collector to carry out a probe against Baitarani Power Project Private Limited, which operates a hydropower plant on the Baitarani river.
There have been allegations against the hydropower plant that discharges from its reservoir had aggravated the food situation in Kendujhar.
The plant apparently released water from its reservoir soon after Kendujhar experienced a spell of heavy rainfall recently. The additional water worsened the flood situation in the district, according to complaints.
Locals alleged several places in Kendujhar had seen severe waterlogging due to discharges from the plant’s reservoir during monsoon last year.
Pujari has asked the Kendujhar Collector to conduct the probe as soon as possible, and submit a report at the earliest.
Once the report is received, the state government will take action if necessary.
Kendujhar, Baleshwar, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Sundaragada have been affected by floods. Over 2.09 lakh people in 429 villages under 52 blocks across these six districts have been affected.
Vast areas have been submerged under water, embankments breached and road connectivity disrupted, hampering normal life in these districts.
