Odisha moves CWC over Kalma barrage flood release

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Friday moved the Central Water Commission (CWC) against the Chhattisgarh government for not keeping the state in the loop while opening 46 gates of the Kalma barrage constructed on the Mahanadi river.

“Being a downstream riparian state, we should have been informed about the gate operation activities of all barrages and medium and major irrigation projects well in advance for planning a better flood preparedness through Hirakud Dam,” said Odisha Water Resources Secretary Pradeep Jena in a letter to the CWC chairman.

He said information on the release of water would help to implement appropriate flood mitigation strategies during the coming monsoon period.

Jena said the Chhattisgarh Water Resources Department has already been requested to tell the Odisha government in advance about their gate operation activities across all projects.

He requested the CWC chairman to impress upon Chhattisgarh to work with the Odisha government officials in unison and inform about their gate operation schedule of different reservoirs and barrages well in advance.

The Odisha government has been opposing the construction of barrages and dams by the Chhattisgarh government in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi river alleging that it would affect the interests of the state.

The government has already moved the Supreme Court in this regard. (IANS)