Mahanadi row: Dharmendra writes to Uma Bharati for free flow of water

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday urged Water Resources Minister Uma Bharati to ensure free flow of Mahanadi water that acts as a lifeline for Odisha.

In a letter, Pradhan has expressed concern over sharp drop in the water level and requested Bharati to advice ChhattisgarhChhattisgarh barrages a bane for Bargarh farmers, fishermento open the gates of Kalma barrage.

"It is stated that non-monsoon flow into Hirakud Reservoir received from the upper catchment of Mahanadi basin is showing a significant downward trend. The percentage reduction has alarmingly gone up to 78% in the month of May," Pradhan said in a letter to Bharti.

Also Read: Mahanadi Row: Naveen Urges Chhattisgarh To Open Kalma Barrage Gates

Pradhan further wrote that this stop of flow had caused severe anguish in the downstream areas, thus affecting the district water needs in peak summer months.

"If this trend is allowed to continue, there will be near stoppage of flow of water into the Hirakud Reservoir and in all likelihood cause big loss to the reservoir and the downward catchment area," he said.

Earlier, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had shot a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to instruct the Chhattisgarh government from stopping construction of barrages on Mahanadi river and ensure free flow of water to the state.

He also urged Modi to open the gates of Kalma and other barrages to maintain free flow of water downstream which is the rightful claim of Odisha and its inhabitants.