BJD members today asked the Centre to take steps to stop construction of barrage by Chhattisgarh on the Mahanadi river, saying it would impact 65 per cent of the population of Odisha.
Raising the matter in the Lok Sabha, BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab said the central agencies have remained a "silent spectator" on the entire issue.
Criticising the Chhattisgarh government for launching construction activities without taking into account the interests of the people of Odisha, Mahtab said as Mahanadi flows across the two states, the matter should be resolved soon to safeguard the interest of farmers in Odisha.
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Earlier in the day, BJD MPs staged a demonstration on the issue in the Parliament premises.
"Environment Ministry should take up the issue on behalf of the people of Odisha... 65 per cent of our population is going to get affected if this dam is constructed. Centre should take steps to stop the construction of the barrage," Mahtab said.
