Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has issued a show-cause notice to Baitarani Power Projects Private Limited (BPPL) over alleged irregular operation of barrage gates during the recent flood in the Baitarani River.
Official sources said the company opened the barrage gates at the Baitarani Small Hydro Electric Project for power generation in an unregulated manner during peak and flash flood conditions without properly informing the authorities concerned.
The Water Resources Department has sought an explanation from the company and warned that strict action could follow if its response is found unsatisfactory.
According to Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, the company had been issued a notice for releasing water without prior intimation. He said the government would decide on further action after examining the company’s response.
The notice, issued by Engineer-in-Chief of Water Resources Department, Dillip Kumar Rout, said such random gate operation was causing an uncontrolled flood situation downstream of the barrage.
The department asked BPPL to explain its method of operating the barrage gates during periods of peak flood and flash flood.
Terming the manner of gate operation irresponsible, the department has sought an explanation from the company.
BPPL has also been asked to empty the barrage well before an extreme flood event to prevent flooding in downstream areas. It further instructed the company to operate the barrage gates strictly in coordination with the project authorities.
The move comes amid concerns over the impact of gate operation on downstream.