Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Union Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Uma Bharti to advise the Chhattisgarh Government to immediately open the Kalma barrage gates and ensure free flow of water in the downstream of Mahanadi.
“The non-monsoon flow into the Hirakud reservoir reduced by 78 per cent in May this year. The stop of flow has caused severe anguish situation in the downstream areas and is contrary to the interest of the people of Odisha,” Pradhan appraised the Minister in a letter sent on Wednesday.
He further mentioned that, if this trend persists, there would be near stoppage of flow of water into the reservoir and will cause a great loss to the reservoir and downstream areas of Odisha as well.
“I request you to advise the Chhattisgarh Government to open the Kalma gates and ensure free flow of water in the Mahanadi to mitigate the sufferings of the people of Odisha,” urged Pradhan.
It may be noted that Chief Minister Naveen Patnik had recently written to his Chhattisgarh counterpart Raman Singh requesting him to open all gates of the Kalma barrage for free flow of water in the Mahanadi downstream. He had termed stopping of water as against the inter-State riparian rights.
While Chhattisgarh Water Resources Minister Brijmohan Agrawal denied the charge, BJP leaders here said the State Government has no evidence to prove its allegation.
Getting no response from Raman, later Patnaik too wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his immediate intervention into the issue. He apprised Modi that the water flow in the Mahanadi reduced drastically during the summer causing sufferings to people of Odisha.