locals have panicked after landslide of a large portion of Chitroptala river embankment that had been spur-packed only recently at Haridaspur on Patkura-Haladiagada road in Kendrapada district on Monday. There was rush of villagers at the spot.
The landslide exposed the substandard work that was undertaken for strengthening the river embankment. The contractor entrusted by the Water Resources Department allegedly carried out the substandard work, for which landslides have been occurring at regular intervals. Though locals several times brought the matter to the notice of the concerned authorities, the officials remained callous, allege locals.
About 300 meters of long spur packing on the embankment has been damaged, according to locals.
It may be noted that on March 28 this year too, a large portion of the river embankment had also caved into the river. But the authorities have been remaining indifferent towards the problems, say the locals.