**Bhubaneswar:** Vehemently opposing the construction works carried by the Chhattisgarh Government on river Mahanadi, the Biju Yuba Janata (BJJ), youth wing of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has decided to stage protests in fifteen districts of Odisha by posing dharna in front of the respective District Collector’s office from July 25 to August 11.
Biju Yuba Janata president Sanjay Das Verma convening a press conference on Saturday said this is in response to the recent media statement by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh.
Verma said that Mahanadi is the lifeline of Odisha though its geographical distribution is such that 86% of the catchment of Hirakud inflow comes from Chhattisgarh. In this context, any interception of the catchment or unilateral utilisation keeping Odisha in dark is viewed with an alarming note.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had expressed concerns over the series of pick up weirs across the river, three diversion weirs on its tributary Arpa and four under construction weirs. Individually any project may not be significant in terms of its adversity for Hirakud reservoir, but the holistic impact of the entire group of barrages is a matter of concern.
There is a 28% reduction of the annual yield received by the Hirakud reservoir in the preceding decade.
The Kelo project, although approved by CWC has not been intimated to the Government of Odisha. The Urmel anicut project across river Tel came into light only after local unrest inside Odisha.
As an answer to the senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra who alleged that there was no agreement between Odisha and Madhya Pradesh in 1983 on Mahanadi river water distribution, the BJD produced the MoA entered into between the states of Madhya Pradesh and Orissa dated 28.4.1983.
The BJD has alleged that the Centre is giving a deaf ear to the problems of Odisha and meting out a step-motherly attitude which is not acceptable.
Senior BJD MP and party vice president Prasanna Acharya along with other BJD members voiced out concerns regarding Mahanadi as a large percentage of the people of Odisha will be affected by the steps taken up by the Chhattisgarh Government.
Apprehensions regarding the drastic reduction of flow in non-monsoon flow to Hirakud reservoir due to construction of number of projects by Chhattisgarh without consulting Odisha was also projected at the press conference.
In a major development on the day, Odisha Water Resources Chief Engineer Janaki Ballav Mohapatra informed media that he has already talked to the Chhattisgarh official and is deputing Hirakud Dam circle’s superintending engineer (SE) Harmohan Pradhan and Dam Safety SE Gopal Chandra Ray on July 25 to see about the constructions done there and their impact and also the construction on or to be taken up. Both the deputed officials will gather all related data that is to be examined before the tripartite talk with CWC at New Delhi.
On the other hand, BJP leader Pradeep Purohit said such protests on Mahanadi issue is simply a ploy of the ruling BJD to cover up its loopholes and lacunae.
Congress Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati in his reactions said the BJD protests on Mahanadi issue is just to show off that the party has deep concerns for the people of Odisha and the state’s interests.
Senior Congress leader Naba Das demanded that an all party meeting should be convened soon by the Odisha Government to fight for the cause unitedly.
Das also demanded that the prime minister should intervene in accordance with the power vested on him as per Para 262 of the Indian Constitution.