Water Resources Dept is in CM’s hand; Irrigation Project pushed into Ruin

Subhas Chandra Pattanayak
Hilly Orissa is dependent on rain for cultivation. The only solace is availability of water in some locations by jointing two adjoining hills by dams. Dadara Ghati Dam on river Gambharia Nallah in Dhenkanal District is one such irrigation project that I had an opportunity to visit along with distinguished editorialist Deviprasanna Nayak at the end of summer this year.

Ever since water resources department has fallen in the hands of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik this project is lying abandoned. It is pushed into utter ruin due to total lack of maintenance and care.

Pictures will say.

This is the abandoned dam –

Its junked Board of Silent Feature is indicative of what utter negligence the project is subjected to. This is the Board –   Its office is abandoned. The pictures below would show its pathetic condition.   Its operation is abandoned.   It is not in use for years. Nobody takes its care. No attention is paid to its maintenance.   As I stand under the dam, to my left on the State Highway, preferrers of shorter routes from coastal to western Orissa and vice versa are seen speeding away in their vehicles. Ah! If someone could come and see how this great irrigation asset is crying for attention!