Odishatv Bureau
Bhubaneswar: Rejecting alleged water "mismanagement" at Hirakud dam that led to a high flood in the delta region of Mahanadi river, the state government today informed governor M C Bhandare that there was no need to set up a new committee to enquire whether the guideline for discharge of water from the reservoir was maintained. Instead, the state government said an old technical team would look into the implementation of Rule Curve for the reservoir, official sources said.

"The state government today submitted its reply to Raj Bhavan here in response to Bhandare`s query on alleged water mismanagement at Hirakud dam," chief secretary B K Patnaik said. He said an old technical team headed by the Engineer-in-Chief (EIC) of water resources department, would investigate into the alleged violation of Rule Curve for water management of Hirakud reservoir.

"The state government does not feel that setting up another committee is needed as a technical panel already exist in the state," water resources secretary Suresh Mohapatra said, adding that the state government had set up such a committee in 2009. Bhandare in his letter to the state government had suggested setting up of a technical committee comprising members from Central Water Commission (CMC), advocates, a woman and some technical persons.

The existing committee could consult technical persons from outside the state if required, the state government said in its report to the governor. The existing committee already have members having expertise in water management in Mahanadi river system. The committee had also been told to suggest steps to control flood in Mahanadi river system in more effective manner, Mohapatra said.

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