The Harihar Jora Irrigation Project in Birmaharajpur Sub-Division of Subarnapur is a lifeline for agriculture activities, but it has proved futile for farmers in the command area. Reason: Concrete restoration of its canals has not been completed till date.
Now, all farmlands in the command area are deprived of water. Reports said the irrigation project was set up for 81 villages under the sub division in 1997-98. Since then, the people of nine panchayats in Birmaharajpur and Ullunda blocks used to be happy after getting adequate water. Farmers lamented that the concrete works of the canals have not yet been completed.
Not a single drop of water is available in the command area ,said a vexed farmer. "We are paying water cess, but water is not available. Water shortage for Rabi crops is worsening. The administration and the Government have paid little heed to our problems. Since 1997, the Government has not provided funds for maintenance and upgradation of the dam. The spillway of the dam and its canals are bad shape," he told. Irrigational coverage was reduced from 9,450 hectares to 6,950 hectares in Kharif season while its irrigational capacity was limited to 1,600 hectares in Rabi Season.
In the last 22 years, farmers have not been able to draw as much benefit as was expected from the irrigation project, lamented another.Crops being raised in the farmlands in the tail end of the project were affected when water did not reach, the farmers pointed out.
Three years ago, Rs 61 crore was sanctioned for the renovation and upgradation of the project. But works are allegedly being botched up.
The road on the dam has been in bad shape while lighting facilities have not been done. People have to suffer a lot, lamented yet another farmer.
Executive Engineer of the Tel irrigation project, Dillip Patra, however, asserted that all farmlands are being irrigated in the Kharif season. "There is problem in Rabi season. The department had got administrative approval of Rs 2.85 crore for restoration of the road, lighting and gallery treatment," he informed.