The two under construction barrages on the Mahendra Tanaya river in Gajapati district’s Raigarh block, for which Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone way back in 2008, are yet to see light of the day.
The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone a month after the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh started constructing an off-shore project on the river in order to use the river water for its people in areas like Chapara, Palasa and Tekkali on April 1, 2008.
The people of Raigarh then hoped that they would not face any problem in getting water for cultivation and drinking purposes.The people are much dependent on its water because 60 per cent of the river, including the upstream part, flows in Odisha.
The people have now been a worried lot as 25 per cent of the two projects have only been completed while the AP project is nearing completion.While it is being discussed in the political circles that the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone as 2009 elections was round the corner then, the people have reportedly decided to take to the street against the tardy progress of the projects.