The Jora Irrigation Project in Birmaharajpur Sub-Division of Subarnapur is a lifeline for agriculture activities, but it has been futile for farmers in the command area to take any advantage of it.
Reason: Concrete restoration of its canals has not been completed till date. Consequently, now, all farmlands in the command area are deprived of water. Reports said the irrigation project was set up for 81 villages in 1997-98. Since then, people of nine panchayats in Birmaharajpur and Ullunda blocks used to be happy after getting adequate water. However that happiness did not last long. The farmers lamented that since the concrete works of the canals have not been completed, not a single drop of water is available in the command area.
A vexed farmer said, "We are paying water cess, but water is not available.Water shortage for Rabi crops is worsening. The administration and the Government have paid little heed to our problems. Since 1997, the Government has not provided funds for maintenance and up gradation of the dam. For lack of maintenance, the spillway of the dam and its canals fell into bad shape."
As a result, farming activities were affected for short supply of water. Irrigational coverage was reduced from 9,450 hectares to 6,950 hectares in Kharif season while its irrigational capacity was limited to 1,600 hectares in Rabi season, informed sources.
In the last 22 years, farmers have not been able to draw as much benefit as was expected from this irrigation project. Crops being raised in the farmlands in the tail end of the project were affected when water did not reach, the farmers pointed out.
Three years ago, Rs 61 crore was sanctioned for the renovation and upgradation of the project. But the works were allegedly being botched up. The road on the dam has taken a bad shape while lighting was not been done. People have to suffer a lot.
Executive Engineer of the Tel irrigation project Dillip Patra, however, asserted that all farmlands are being irrigated in the Kharif season. "There is problem in Rabi season.
The department has got administrative approval of Rs 2.85 crore for restoration of road, lighting and gallery treatment, and the works would be soon taken up," he added.