Odisha government today protested against Chhattishgarh's bid to use all the available water of Mahanadi river and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to advice the neighbouring state to stop unilateral construction of major structures across the river.
"We are shocked that a central agency like the Central Water Commission has remained silent on this issue. Being a nodal agency, they are expected to be neutral and should play a pro-active role in safeguarding the interests of farmers of the riparian state of Odisha. I hope that the Ministry of Environment and Forests also takes up this issue, keeping in view our interest," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Patnaik's letter to Modi came after the state government came to know that Chhattishgarh government was going ahead unilaterally with some irrigation projects over the river Mahanadi without consulting Odisha.
Describing the Mahanadi river as the "lifeline of Odisha" as the life of the state's 65 per cent population is dependent on it, Patnaik said from time immemorial the people of Odisha have an emotional, cultural and organic relationship with the holy river.
Patnaik pointed out that seven pick up weirs across Mahanadi river just upstream of Hirakud Dam such as Saradi weir and Kalma weir, seven diversion weirs across river Arpa (a tributary of the Seonath, which again is a tributary of the Mahanadi) such as Khongasara project, Salka project and Bilaspur project have already been constructed.
Besides, he said, Ambaguda Diversion project, Salka Diversion project, Lachhanpur Diversion project including Arpa-Bhaisajhar Barrage project are under construction.
Two new projects, Pairy-Mahanadi Intra State Link Project and Tandula Reservoir Augmentation Scheme on Mahanadi river project will severely affect flow of water in Hirakud reservoir, he said in the letter.
"It is further learnt that Chhattishgarh government is also contemplating construction of a reservoir based dam in Kelo river adjacent to Odisha border," Patnaik said.
The chief minister said, "I would seek your immediate intervention on this issue and instruction to the Central government agencies to play their role proactively and safeguard the interest of the farmers of Odisha."
"I would request your office to advise the Chhattishgarh government to immediately stop the unilateral construction of such major structures across Mahanadi river," The Chief Minister added.
