Water Resources Principal Secretary Pradep Kumar Jena visited Gajapati and Rayagada districts recently over the dam constructed by the Andhra Pradesh Government flouting the pact with Odisha in the upstream of the Bansadhara river.
The neighbouring State is constructing an illegal dam in the river on the upstream of Kashinagar in the Katragada and Naradi area in AP over last few years. Even though the case is in the Supreme Court, the AP Government is disobeying both the Supreme Court and Odisha- Andhra agreement.
The locals in Gajapati district urged Jena to take necessary steps immediately to stop the illegal construction of AP. Jena went to Kashinagar block areas near the Bansadhara river such as Sara, Badigan, Palasingh and Kandaba , besides Gunupur in Rayagada district.
After investigating the areas where the illegal constriction is going on and the area which will be badly affected, Jena, Water Resources Chief Engineer Suresh Jena, Water Resources Director Hemanta Behera, Division Executive Engineer Rabindra Panda, and Gyana Mohant discussed with the people.
The locals apprehended loss of hearth and home besides livelihood in case the dam is constructed full-fledged. The residents of Kashinagar also requested construction of a reservoir canal on the upstream of Bansadhara river so that the farmers of Gajapati district can get water for irrigation.
Notably, on April 24, the SC tribunal team had visited Andhra Pradesh’s Katragada and Naradi area where the dam is being constructed and later on April 25, they visited Gajapati district of Kashinar block to various villages such as Sara, Badigan and Palasingh for knowing the ground truth.