Congress MLAs on Friday raised the issue of silting at the confluence of three rivers near the Rajiv temple premises and drain water from the town entering the river, causing pollution.
Dhanendra Sahu (INC) spoke about silting at the upper part of Rajim minor barrage due to construction of a temporary road during the ‘Festival’ period of Rajim temple area.
He said drain water caused massive pollution to the river water.
Irrigation Minister Ravindra Choubey said that from Rajiv Anicut to Kuleshwar temple and in Mahanadi river, the construction of temporary roads cannot be blamed for silting.
During monsoon and floods, the anicut gates are opened due to which silt deposits flow. As the structure blocks the natural flow of the river, the silting rate is higher, which is a natural process, he said.
The sand and silt can be removed by order of the Collector and the Mining department. Drains are being constructed to divert the flow of water into rivers.
Members suggested the construction of mechanized gates instead of manual ones but the Minister said these would cost much more.
Rajim MLA Amitesh Shukla said now modern mechanical silting machines can be used for de-silting and urged the Minister to go for them.