Odisha To Oppose Irrigation Projects Impacting State’s Interest, Livelihood Of People: CM Mohan Majhi

Bhubaneswar: Inter-state irrigation projects, which harm the interest of Odisha and impact livelihood of its people, will be opposed by the state government, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi noted during a review meeting.

The meeting chaired by Majhi discussed disputes between Odisha and its neighbouring states Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh over such irrigation projects, including Mahanadi, Bansadhara and Polavaram.

The Chief Minister said that upholding the interest Odisha and livelihood of people of the state will be of top priority for his government. He directed to sternly oppose all such projects that are against Odisha’s interests, affect the livelihood of the people and endanger the environment of the state.

Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department, Anu Garg presented the facts and statistics connected with these projects before the Chief Minister during the review meeting.

It is pertinent to mention here that Odisha has expressed strong resentment against Chhattisgarh government claiming that the latter has been constructing dams and weirs (small dams) upstream the Mahanadi. This is being allegedly carried on by the Chhattisgarh government without consulting Odisha.

Similarly, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have been at loggerheads since 1961 regarding sharing of river Banshadhara’s water. Bamsadhara is an important east flowing river between Rushikulya and Godavari, in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh states.

With respect to the Polavaram project, Odisha is apprehensive of that the construction of the dam by neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and the spillway would result in the submergence of considerable amount of its territory, including protected tribal areas.