Irrigation canals buried under neglect in Cuttack, farmers struggle to find water

Despite the government's numerous initiatives for the betterment of agriculture and farmers, including prioritizing irrigation with the allocation of crores of rupees, many irrigation projects across Odisha suffer due to poor maintenance and administrative negligence. 

A glaring example of this kind of neglect can be seen in Mahanga block of Cuttack district, where irrigation canals have become so buried and neglected that farmers can no longer even locate them.

Canals that once brought water directly to the fields are now either lost beneath overgrown vegetation or absorbed back into the farmland. What remains is just a trace of outdated maps, no longer serving the purpose they were built for. Due to a lack of upkeep, it's unclear where these canals have silted up or simply vanished into the landscape. In many cases, long, grass-covered slopes within the fields are the only indicators of where these canals once flowed. 

The main canal, which used to supply water to distant low-lying fields, is now non-functional, leaving farmers helpless despite continuing to pay water taxes. This problem isn't isolated to a single area. Villages across the Mahanga block—including Chahapada, Mahanga, Jalasarpur, Shreekrishnapur, Usuma, Rahania, Pallisahi, Nrutanga, Anandapur, and Bhaunria panchayats—are facing similar issues.

"The canal has been lying defunct for the last 20 years. Though we find the canal only in maps, it has been buried and of no use," said Mohan Parida, a farmer.

"We are facing lots of problems due to lack of irrigation facilities," rued Goutam Kuanara, another farmer.

Farmers in these regions are demanding immediate attention from the government for the restoration of these irrigation channels. The lack of focus on canal maintenance and irrigation infrastructure has reportedly led to a crisis in agriculture-dependent areas.

"Though the canal exists on the map, it has been buried and defunct. We are facing irrigation issues. We request the authorities for the restoration of the channels," said Prabhat Kumar Parida, a farmer in the area.

Responding to the situation, the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of the Irrigation Department stated that action will be taken to restore these canals if complaints were received through the water panchayat.

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"If a complaint is received through a valid water panchayat, action will be taken and the canals could be restored," said Cuttack SDO Ashutosh Dhal.

As the farming season approaches, there is an urgent call for the cleaning and revival of buried canals to ensure water reaches the fields. Farmers are urging authorities to address their grievances and take timely action to avoid further agricultural distress.