Bhubaneswar: Chhattisgarh government continues to show its highhandedness over the Mahanadi water dispute after the Raman Singh government today shut down the gates of Kalma barrage once again.
Even as the dispute over Mahanadi river water between both the states is yet to be resolved, the Chhattisgarh government closed as many as 64 gates out of 66 of the Kalma barrage curtailing water inflow into the Hirakud reservoir.
It is alleged that the closure of the gates has considerably reduced the water inflow to Hirakud reservoir and it will not be possible to meet the water requirements of Odisha with the reserved water during the non-monsoon season.
It is believed that the water inflow to Mahanadi was not sufficient last year due to construction of barrages by Chhattisgarh and a similar situation is expected to be witnessed in Odisha this year again.
Also Read: Mahanadi dispute: Odisha to move SC over Kalma barrage gates
Meanwhile, Pradeep Jena, Principal Secretary of Odisha Water Resources department has written to his Chhattisgarh counterpart raising concerns over the closure of gates and urged his government to refrain from such acts.
Gopal Prasad Rai, chief engineer of Water Resource department, said the chief secretary has mentioned in his letter not to disrupt the non-monsoon season water flow and give us what we had been getting.
Reacting strongly over the issue, BJD lambasted the State unit of BJP here for compromising on Odisha's interest as the party is in power in Chhattisgarh.
“Chhattisgarh is intentionally closing the gates. The Raman Singh-led BJP government has water to give to industries though the people of Odisha are suffering,” alleged BJD spokesperson, Prasant Nanda.
"Both the states have equal rights on the water. BJP is concerned about the Mahanadi water and will ensure that the State is not deprived of even a single drop of water," said Odisha BJP spokesperson, Sajjan Sharma.
It is worth mentioning that the Mahanadi water dispute is already sub-judice before the Supreme Court. Besides, the Centre has already prepared a Cabinet Note on the issue after being approached by the Odisha government and as per its demands a 'Mahanadi Tribunal' is all set to be formed by November 19 to resolve the issue.