Villagers In Odisha’s Kendrapada Protest Mega Drinking Water Project On Kharasrota River

Kendrapada: Protesting the proposed mega drinking water project on river Kharashrota, thousands of people formed a 2 km-long human chain, organized by the Kharasrota Banchao Sangrama Samiti (KBSS) at Rajkanika in Kendrapada district on Monday.

KBSS adviser Debendra Sharma told mediapersons that the project, to be constructed on Kharasrota river at an estimated cost of Rs 892 crore, will supply drinking water to Bhadrak and Balasore districts.

Maintaining that Kharasrota is the lifeline for the people of Kendrapada district, he said any attempt to loot water from the river for supply to other areas will be vehemently opposed. He said the Samiti will have another meeting on November 22 to decide its future course of action.

“We suspect that the proposed project will supply water to the multi-national companies inBalasore and Bha drak districts to run their plants and industries. If the companies are allowed to draw water from the river, the water level will fall drastically and adversely affect farming in Kendrapada district,” the villagers said.