Puri: The second-phase Mahanadi Mahasangram Abhiyan, which was simultaneously flagged off by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Bargarh and Jharsuguda districts on May 16, would leave for Jagatsinghpur on Thursday.
On the eighth day of the Mahasangram Abhiyan on Wednesday, a rally led by BJD Rajya Sabha member Prasanna Acharya had left Puri on the right side of the Mahanadi river and reached Kakatpur via Sakhigopal, Satasankha, Pipili, Khelar, Nimapara, Charichhak and Astarang.
Addressing roadside meetings at Nimapara, Charichhak, Astarang and Kakatpur, Achyara said the downstream of Mahanadi had dried up in Odisha due to blockage of the river water by a number of barrages constructed by the Chhattisgarh government in the upper catchments. Though the Centre was aware of the illegal constructions of barrages by the Chhattisgarh government, it had remained silent, he said.
Criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he asked if the former was visiting Odisha to add salt to the injuries of the people of Odisha? “Why has he remained silent on this sensitive issue instead of asking the Chhattisgarh government to refrain from such illegal activities?” he added.
Among others, ministers, Pradeep Maharathi and Maheswar Mohanty, MLA Samir Das, Umakant Samantray, Surendra Sethi, Pramod Mallick and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal president Rana Pratap Patra were present.
A bike rally led by BJD leader and former minister Debi Prasad Mishra had left Salepur on the left side of the Mahanadi river and arrived at Naindipur where Patkura MLA Bed Prakash Agrawal presided over a public meeting.
Addressing the meeting, Mishra alleged that the Centre is acting as a mute spectator to the Mahanadi river water dispute. He sought a clarification from the Prime Minister as to why he is not intervening in the matter and directing the Chhattisgarh government to immediately stop the ongoing construction of barrages on the Mahanadi.
Among others, Pratap Deb, minister Pratap Jena, Pramila Mallick, Bijay Nayak, Kendrapara Biju Yuva Janata Dal president Amaresh Patri, Sisir Parija, Dhruba Sahu and Durgashis Mohanty participated in the rally.
After a night halt at Kendrapara, the rally will leave for Mahakalapada on Thursday.
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