Nuapada: A scientific team of the State Government's Dam Safety Review Panel today conducted a spot visit at the under-construction Lower Indra Irrigation Project in the district after locals alleged that the main spillway, some 100 metres away from the reservoir has developed cracks and caved in.
The 8-member team of the Dam safety review panel which constitutes officials of planning and design, quality control and deputy director dam safety, reviewed the condition of the spillway.
However, after the review, the researcher team informed that locals need not panic as according to them, the soil which has caved in, is due to a natural process.
The researcher team further mentioned that it will not have any impact neither does it pose any threat to the Lower Indra Dam.
“This is the first year that water has been impounded in the reservoir. It’s a normal settlement process and there is no need to panic. The settlement process occurs year after year and it is visible because the coal tar was put over the spillway immediately during the construction,” said Prafulla Kumar Swain, Chief Engineer, Dam Safety.
Sunil Kumar Nayak, Chief Construction Engineer of Lower Indra Project said, “The team carried out an inspection and clarified that there is no threat. They have also ordered for restoration of the project.”
Earlier on August 24, members of the Lower Indra Janasachetan Manch staged a protest and blocked NH-353 in Nuapada demanding rehabilitation of the people displaced due to the project.