According to sources, the team led by Justice Mukundam Sharma, who is also the Chairman of the tribunal team, visited the site.
The team which also includes Chief engineer of Water Resources department of Odisha, Akshay Banerjee had visited site at the Katragadda phase – II project area in Andhra Pradesh yesterday.
“The team had inspected the entire site but haven’t given any response. Andhra Pradesh should take their share of water without causing any problem to us,” said former engineer of Odisha water resources department Arun Padhi.
When the Andhra Pradesh government had proposed to divert the river water from Katragadda to Hiramandalam reservoir under Bansadhara Project-II some years ago, Odisha government had strongly opposed the move.
Though Naredi got a clean chit for continuation of construction, the tribunal, pronouncing the verdict, set certain conditions for Katragada barrage.
“The decision has been taken based on the 1962 agreement. The Andhra Pradesh government has been directed to compensate all losses suffered by Odisha,” said Odisha government’s lawyer Radhashyam Jena.
The tribunal also ordered to set up a committee which will oversee whether the court order is strictly followed or not. The four-member panel will comprise of two officials from Central Water Commission (CWC) and two representatives, one each from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
“Compensation in so far as 106 arces to be acquired is concerned, the state of Andhra Pradesh is required to pay to the State of Odisha,” said Andhra Pradesh government’s lawyer, D Srinivas.
Kalyansinghpur/Rayagada: Flood situation in Rayagada district improved slightly as river Kalyani and Nagavali started receding since last night.
Thousands of people were still marooned in several villages. The government started airdropping of food packets to the marooned people at Majhiguda, Kumbharguda, Brahmana Sahi, Kumbharsahi and Sai Nagar. The district administration has also started serving cooked food to the people taking shelter in schools.
“The flood situation in Kalahandi and Rayagada district is improving. Free kitchens have been opened for the affected people in these areas. Airdropping of relief materials have been done in Rayagada district,” CM Naveen Patnaik said.
Rayagada district administration has declared closure of schools and colleges for three days in Kalyansinghpur block in view of flood. Similarly, schools and anganwadi centres were shut in Kalahandi district in view of flood.
Health Minister Pratap Jena reviewed health care system in flood affected areas. “Special medical teams have camped in flood-hit Rayagada district with adequate medicines and vaccination. Director of Health Services is directly supervising the work,” Jena said.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sehty convened a meeting with NDRF, ODRAF and fire services officials.
"Despite intermittent rains, there is a slight improvement in the flood situation in Rayagada and Kalahandi district. Choppers have been engaged to airdrop food packets in marooned villages. Around 3000 relief packets have been distributed. Free kitchen centres- two at Kalyansinghpur and 10 at Rayagada- have been opened to serve cooked food to the victims. Three teams of NDRF and CRPF and two of ODRAF have been mobilised to expedite relief and rescue operations. Rayagada Collector and DIG (south) are monitoring the situation," the SRC said.
He further added that local NGOs and local industries have also joined hands in the relief work. Over 65 people stranded at various places were rescued last night, Sethy added.
Rains triggered by a low pressure over Bay of Bengal since Saturday led to flash floods in Nagavali and Kalyani rivers of Rayagada district affecting about 10,000 people in Kalyansinghpur block and neighbouring blocks in the district.
On the other hand Bansadhara river continued to swell as it crossed the danger mark near Kasinagar in Paralakhemundi today. As many as 21 gates of Gotta barrage on the river have been opened to release excess water, the SRC informed.
“The representatives of both the States had met on January 28 but they could not reach any consensus,” informed Rajagopal.
While both the sides presented their views during the hearing, the tribunal will hear the case tomorrow.
Earlier on January 22, the tribunal had directed the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh governments to set up a joint technical committee comprising engineers from both the States and hold a meeting to narrow down any differences on Katragadda and Nereddy barrages and submit a joint report within a week.
Prior to that, the Odisha government and the Centre had raised objections after the tribunal gave its nod for construction of both the barrages.
According to sources, chairman of the tribunal, Justice Mukundam Sharma conducted the hearing today and issued the directives after hearing the arguments of Odisha.
Odisha, in its argument claimed that both the Katragadda and Nereddy projects on the Bansadhara river were undertaken without approval from the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the State demanded a joint survey of both the projects.
Andhra Pradesh's counsel, SY Rajgopal said “Odisha presented its arguments before the tribunal today. The Centre and Andhra Pradesh will file their arguments in the next hearing on April 2, 3 and 4.”
Wassim Kadri, advocate for the Central government said “Today Odisha presented its arguments. We will present our arguments on April 2.”
On January 22, the tribunal had directed the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh governments to hold a meeting to narrow down any differences on Katragadda and Nereddy projects.
However yesterday, Andhra Pradesh advocate Rajagopal informed the tribunal that the meeting between the members of the joint technical teams from both states held on January 28 failed to yield any result.
The technical teams of both the states are directed to hold deliberations with officials of Central Water Commission (CWC). They will also conduct a survey of around 106 acre area along the river bed.
"As a whopping 106 acre of land are going to submerge in Odisha, the tribunal asked both the state to cooperate . The technical persons who will conduct the survey should not be below the rank of Superintendent rank" said Lawyer Radhashyam Jena.
The survey report is likely to be submitted before July 8 and the Tribunal will conduct its next hearing taking into account the survey report.
Earlier, Odisha in its argument claimed that both the Katragadda and Neredi projects on the Bansadhara river were undertaken without approval from the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the State demanded a joint survey of both the projects.
Following which chairman of the tribunal, Justice Mukundam Sharma, conducted the hearing on March 6 and directed the centre and Andhra Pradesh to furnish their replies before the Bansadhara water dispute tribunal in the first week of April.
The embankment along Mahanadi river from Baideswara to Bhagipur and Botalama to Khandiabandha in Banki is in a precarious condition. When the river gets flooded with water, there are breaches in the embankment, subsequently leading to water-logging in the villages.
The affected villagers have blamed the government apathy and poor quality of work carried out by contractors for the weak embankments. "River embankments are in a very poor condition. This apart, contractors are working as per their wish. No one from the local administration has visited the place. The administrative officials should to visit the spot immediately and take concrete steps," demanded Baikuntha Behera, a resident of Kurumachaini.
"Embankments are very poor and ever year our village gets flooded. The stone packing is also of poor quality," alleged Shailendra Rout, a resident of Mukundapur.
Refuting the charges, Assistant Engineer of Irrigation department, Banki, Shrimad Kumar Tripathy said, "Embankments have been strengthened. However, the work at Kurumi is yet to be completed as quality stones were not available. This year we will expedite the work and try to finish it on time."
Similar condition can be seen at Limapadar and Khalagumuda villages of Rayagada district. Embankment along Bansadhara river is in a dangerous condition, as such villagers of Limapadar, Gumuda and Derigaon are awaiting desperate measures by the administration.
"Due to soil erosion on the embankment the river water has come closer to the village. The Assembly Estimate Committee visited the place and assured construction of embankment, but nothing has been done yet. If the government does not resolve the issue, we will stage agitation," said Subas Panda, a resident of Limapadar.
"Though the issue persists, the administration has turned a deaf ear. We demand immediate construction of embankment," said Nrusingha Padhi, a farmer.
When contacted, Assistant Engineer of Gunupur Water Resources department, Shraharee said, "Rs 94.25 crore has been sanctioned for the embankment. Once the funds are released, the work will begin. For temporary purposes we have kept sand packets ready and opened the flood control room."