Sambalpur, July 12: The Chhattisgarh government is constructing 20 mega drinking water projects on the upper catchment of Kalma Barrage in Mahanadi river and five projects are going to be completed soon.
The work of other 15 projected will begin by September this year. After functioning of these projects, Odisha will face severe water scarcity in the river during summer.
The shocking incident came to fore during ground zero investigation by leading Odia daily The Prameya on Thursday.
There has been a long standing dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh over Kalma Barrage as it is the last barrage of the neighbouring state adjoining to Odisha border.
The Chhattisgarh government is not releasing water from Kalma Barrage during non-monsoon season affecting the agricultural activities in the lower catchment of Mahanadi river in Odisha.
The Prameya team reviewed the ground zero situation on Thursday with the onset of monsoon in the country when 66 gates of the barrage were open. However, no significant water level was found in the lower catchment of Odisha due to rain deficit in July.
The team got shocked when saw ongoing work of a big intake well on the upper catchment around 100 meters away from the barrage and several other under construction intake wells as well.
A senior official of water resources department of Chhattisgarh government and the construction company engaged in intake well work informed that the neighbouring state is constructing around 20 projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission at a budget of Rs 702 crore to supply drinking water to 650 villages in Sarangarh-Bilaigarh and Janjgir-Champa districts. A South Indian construction company has been awarded the work. The projects will need around 120 cusecs of water daily.
Besides, eight new industries have signed agreement to use water of Kalma Barrage while five industries are already using its water. Out of its million cubic water reserve capacity, 20 percent water is being supplied to industries by now and following the agreement with new industries, around 42 percent water of the barrage will be used by them.
