The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) party on Sunday urged the people of Odisha to oppose the ongoing construction activities over river Mahanadi initiated by the Raman Singh-led Chhattisgarh government.
Also, the BJD leaders criticised the Centre for being a mute spectator to the issue and accused the Chhattisgarh government of undertaking the work without taking permission from the Central Water Commission (CWC).
BJD opposes Chhattisgarh government’s contruction bid over river Mahanadi
Most of the political parties in Odisha have opposed Chhattisgarh’s bid to construct major structures in the upstream of river Mahanadi.
The agreement on river Mahanadi water sharing between Odisha and undivided Madhya Pradesh was signed in 1983 and Central Water Commission was the mediator.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan earlier said that due to lack of action by Odisha government the situation has arisen when Chhattishgarh is constructing major structures in the upstream of river Mahanadi.
Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said that the upstream is being built within Chhattishgarh and its unilateral decision of Chhattishgarh will affect the interest of Odisha and its farmers.
CPI(M) in a statement suggested that Odisha government should go to the Supreme Court if the Centre did not give due importance to its grievances.
Earlier, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed Odisha’s opposition to the Chhattishgarh’s “unilateral” decision to construct structures across river Mahanadi.
Opposition BJP too said it would fight for the interest of Odisha.
Describing the Mahanadi river as the “lifeline of Odisha” as the life of the states 65 per cent population is dependent on it, Patnaik said from time immemorial the people of Odisha have an emotional, cultural and organic relationship with the holy river.
Two new projects, Pairy-Mahanadi Intra State Link Project and Tandula Reservoir Augmentation Scheme on Mahanadi river project will severely affect flow of water in Hirakud reservoir, he said in the letter.
