The Hirakud Dam Project authorities finally imposed fine on the industrial units in Sambalpur and Jharsuguda districts which drew water from the reservoir beyond the permissible limits.
“Seven such units have been fined to the tune of crores of rupees,” informed project Superintending Engineer RK Panda. The units on which fine has been imposed are Ind Barat Brajarajnagar, Ib Thermal Power Station Banaharpalli, Action Ispat Jharsuguda, Shyam DRI Rengali, BITS Belpahar, MCl Belpahar and South Eastern Railways Jharsuguda. “They will have to pay six times the normal water rent for a period of 16 days,” Panda said.
As per the agreement with the industries with the dam project, the former can’t draw water from the reservoir when water level remains at 595 feet or below. But these industries, in spite of the notices from the project and also amidst public protest, were drawing water when the reservoir level stood below 595 feet, Panda said.
As per information, the highest amount of Rs 1.87 crore has been slapped on State-run Ib Thermal Power Station followed by Shyam DRI with Rs 74.18 lakh. The MCl has been charged Rs 70 lakh, Ind Bharat Rs 19.72 lakh and Action Ispat Rs 14.91 lakh.
“Even if a case with the South Eastern Railways is subjudice but we have also imposed fine on them which would be finalised after final disposal of the case in the High Court,” Panda added.
Due to illegal withdrawal of water from the reservoir, the dam authorities had to face acute problem in releasing water to the canals in the middle of the June for agriculture activities.