Though the three-tier panchayat elections are scheduled in 2022 in the State, but it may be delayed due to Covid-19 as indicated by Government sources. Despite this the ruling BJD has scaled up its organisational activities by restructuring different wings of the party.
Besides, the State Government has been focusing more on rural based projects to appease the rural people ahead of the election. One of them is the 2nd time laying of foundation stone of Koel Barrage by the Chief Minister on Tuesday from Bhubaneswar through virtual mode. More interestingly, where the barrage will be constructed is not yet finalized as per revelation of Raghunathpalli MLA Subrat Tarai.
But expressing the gratitude to the CM for laying the foundation stone during the ongoing odd situation due to Covid 19 pandemic, the BJD source said the cost of the project would be Rs 354 crore. Out of which Rs 220 crore will be spent in barrage construction and the rest in construction of road and other amenities.
Through the project water conservation, major irrigation facilities and drinking water supply will be strengthened and about 4,500 hectares of land will be irrigated in both Kharip and Rabi season. With this project coming to being the long-standing demand of the people of Rourkela Steel City, Bisra, Nuagaon and Kuarmunda block will be fulfilled, claimed BJD sources.
Even the party demands to name the project after Biju Patnaik. But on the other side the Opposition parties claim that it is nothing but a political stunt. Prior to 2014 election, the CM had laid foundation stone for the same project and now ahead of Panchayat election, once again he did it. But this time it will have no impact on the innocent rural voters because they already understand the political game plan of BJD, alleged the opposition leaders.
It may be noted here that earlier on July 13, 2013 the foundation stones for a barrage-cum-bridge near intake pump house, Sector-20 and a ring road on the river Koel from Jhirpani to Panposh were laid by the CM.
While the estimated cost for the barrage and bridge project which aims at augmenting drinking water facility and irrigation coverage in the area was Rs 256 crore, the ring road’s estimated cost was Rs 30 crore.
It was assumed that with the construction of the low-height barrage and bridge, it would simultaneously connect Nuagaon and Kuarmunda blocks on the other side of the river with the steel city and will help farmers of nearby villages of Kuarmunda, Bisra and Nuagaon blocks get water for irrigation.
These farmers are unable to produce crops according to their potential due to lack of irrigation facility. It was also told that to expedite the work progress, the tender process would take off soon and the construction work would be completed in 30 months.
Besides, the project near water intake well of the Rourkela Steel Plant will help the river Deo, a small tributary of Koel, to retai water throughout the year. This in turn will help residents of Koelnagar, Jhirpani, Jagda, Shaktinagar, National Institute of Technology (NIT) and those staying in the captive township of the steel plant get water.
Besides, a 7.5-metre-wide road on the bridge will also facilitate better traffic movement. For the villagers of the command area, the barrage will help in multi-cropping. Besides, vegetable cultivators can market their products in Rourkela round the year. But due to failure in executing the project, the BJD has been in dock since then.