Jajpur farmers’ 3-decade wait ends as Odisha govt starts Kharasrota channel restoration

Three decades of distress for farmers in Jajpur’s Korei and Dharmasala regions may finally come to an end as the Odisha government has initiated restoration work on the Chhinda Kharasrota branch channel of the Kharasrota river.

The long-pending demand had left around 60,000 people across more than 50 villages struggling for livelihood, but the recent government action has sparked renewed hope among locals.

Once-fertile farmlands in Rasulpur block had gradually turned barren after embankments were constructed to prevent floods. While the embankments successfully reduced flooding, they also blocked the natural flow of water into the Kharasrota’s branch channels. 

"For years we watched our green fields vanish. The government has finally heard us, said a farmer Madan Sethi, echoing the sentiment of many in the region. 

Members of the Kharasrota Restoration Committee, Biswajit Mohanty, also expressed relief at the renewed attention to the issue. 

“Farmers were facing several issues like the groundwater levels dropped, agricultural fields dried up and riverbeds turned into grazing land, severely impacting both farmers and fishermen. If the restoration work is done, it will help the farmers a lot,” said Mohanty.

Also Read: Farmers warn of continued protests over paddy procurement delays in Sambalpur

New Sluice Gate at Tikarpada

The government recently laid the foundation stone for a new sluice gate at Tikarpada and launched restoration of the Chhinda Kharasrota channel from Sribantapur to Khanditar. The project, estimated to cost around Rs 10 crore, aims to revive water flow and restore irrigation to thousands of acres of farmland.

Residents say the embankment’s expansion near Tikarpada earlier had completely cut off the original Kharasrota flow, leading to heavy siltation of the riverbed. The new project is expected to reverse these impacts by restoring natural water movement.

Local MLA Akash Das Nayak said the initiative would help farmers regain their livelihoods, adding that the project marks a significant step in addressing long-standing grievances.

“Farmers of at least seven panchayats of Korei Assembly constituency and two-three panchayts of Dharmasala will greately benfit from the project,” said Nayak.

While welcoming the move, villagers have urged the administration to complete the work at the earliest. “Our livelihoods depend on this. The project must be finished quickly,” said local resident.