Sambalpur/Jharsuguda: Normal life was adversely affected following the four-hour hartal observed by the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) here on Saturday against the closure of Kalma barrage gates by Chhattisgarh.
Most of the shops and other business establishments in four districts-- Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda and Sonepur districts remained closed today.
Vehicular traffic on NH-49 running through Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda district came to a grinding halt due to the four-hour strike from 6 am today protesting the decision of neighbouring Chhattisgarh not to allow Mahanadi river water to flow through Kalma barrage to the downstream areas.
Normal life was also disrupted in Belpahar municipal area as local residents faced difficulties to purchase essential commodities with markets and shops remaining shut.
Party activists and leaders are observing protests in Bandhbahal, Lakhanpur and Panchagaon areas in the district.
The ruling party members staged protests and blocked roads during the four-hour strike in Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda and Sonepur districts. They said residents of the four districts especially farmers and fishermen in downstream are suffering the most due to drop in water level in Mahanadi river after Chhattisgarh took a unilateral decision to close 66 gates of the Kalma barrage.
"One gate , which was opened for some days, has been shut again. So, we were forced to hit the streets today", Industries Minister Niranjan Pujari said.
Pramod Kumar Rath, BJD Sambalpur district president, said, “As per the party decision, we have called for suspension of bus services and closure of shops from 6 am to 10 am. The national highway has been blocked at Ainthapali.” He added that locals have voluntarily extended support to the hartal.
Raseswari Panigrahi, Sambalpur legislator, said, “Despite the fact that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik drew the attention of the Prime Minister, the Union Water Resources Minister and the Chhattisgarh chief minister, the issue has not been sorted out. Therefore, to create awareness among public regarding the matter we are observing the strike.”
Union minister Ram Kripal Yadav, who is on a one-day State visit, said "This government does not really want a solution. We want the matter should be resolved between both the States amicably. The hartal by BJD is just a publicity stunt",