Protests against Orissa hydro-power projects intensify
Bhubaneswar, Aug 24 (IANS) Protests against three hydro power plants Orissa plans across river Mahanadi intensified with thousands of people Wednesday staging a massive demonstration at district headquarters town of Sambalpur, an organiser of the protesters said.
Carrying posters and banners and shouting slogans against the state government, people from all walks of life including hundreds of women and children took out a procession, conducted a public hearing of their own and rejected the government plan.
The people who came from three districts of Sambalpur, Boudh and Subarnapur also vowed to fight if the government pushes the projects forcibly.
Orissa state-run Hydro Power Corporation last month signed a pact with NHPC Ltd to set up the hydropower plants in a joint venture across river Mahanadi, in the three districts. The plants would be built in five years’ time with a combined investment of Rs.2,600 crore to generate 320 MW power.
State Energy Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said the projects would be set up only after the consent of the local people.
However, those opposed said the projects will not only cause large scale displacements but also apprehended the reservoirs were planned to centralise storage of river water for supply to upcoming industries in the region.
‘The government has not disclosed the plans in detail. It is pushing the projects without making a comprehensive analysis of state’s water and energy scenario’, Ranjan Panda, convenor of Water Initiatives Orissa – a network of NGOs fighting on water related issues, told IANS.
Showing posts with label Mahanadi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mahanadi. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Sindol
Sindol on BJP’s mind
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BHUBANESWAR: The BJP on Tuesday decided to oppose the Sindol hydro-electricity projects in the Monsoon Session of the Assembly commencing from Wednesday.
While the proposed projects are facing stiff opposition from people of four districts of Boudh, Sonepur, Sambalpur and Bargarh, the BJP Legislature Party slammed the Government for not taking the people and the Council of Ministers into confidence before announcing the projects.
“The Government should have taken up the approval of State Cabinet before signing an agreement with the National Hydro Power Corporation and the Orissa Hydro Power Corporation,” said Deputy Leader of the party in the Assembly Jayanarayan Mishra.
Facing Opposition from within the BJD, the Government will have a tough time to explain to the Opposition and ruling benches as well on the hurried manner in which the MoU was signed, he said.
With drought looming large in several districts due to erratic monsoon, the BJPLP slammed the Government for not having any contingency plan for the affected farmers.
The BJP will press for waiver of farm loan and supply of seeds and other agricultural inputs for rabi crop as an alternative measure, Mishra said.
The BJP is planning to corner the Government on the deteriorating law and order situation and the failing health services in the State.
The legislature party discussed the increasing Maoists activities in Balangir district and the Government failure to tackle the problem.
The meeting expressed concern over the threat call from a Maoist activist to the party leader in the Assembly KV Singhdeo and the murder of a BJD functionary by the Left wing extremists. Six legislators, including BJP supported Pratap Sarangi (Ind), attended the meeting. Bonai MLA Bhimsen Choudhury who was suspended from the party was absent.
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BHUBANESWAR: The BJP on Tuesday decided to oppose the Sindol hydro-electricity projects in the Monsoon Session of the Assembly commencing from Wednesday.
While the proposed projects are facing stiff opposition from people of four districts of Boudh, Sonepur, Sambalpur and Bargarh, the BJP Legislature Party slammed the Government for not taking the people and the Council of Ministers into confidence before announcing the projects.
“The Government should have taken up the approval of State Cabinet before signing an agreement with the National Hydro Power Corporation and the Orissa Hydro Power Corporation,” said Deputy Leader of the party in the Assembly Jayanarayan Mishra.
Facing Opposition from within the BJD, the Government will have a tough time to explain to the Opposition and ruling benches as well on the hurried manner in which the MoU was signed, he said.
With drought looming large in several districts due to erratic monsoon, the BJPLP slammed the Government for not having any contingency plan for the affected farmers.
The BJP will press for waiver of farm loan and supply of seeds and other agricultural inputs for rabi crop as an alternative measure, Mishra said.
The BJP is planning to corner the Government on the deteriorating law and order situation and the failing health services in the State.
The legislature party discussed the increasing Maoists activities in Balangir district and the Government failure to tackle the problem.
The meeting expressed concern over the threat call from a Maoist activist to the party leader in the Assembly KV Singhdeo and the murder of a BJD functionary by the Left wing extremists. Six legislators, including BJP supported Pratap Sarangi (Ind), attended the meeting. Bonai MLA Bhimsen Choudhury who was suspended from the party was absent.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Sindol
Sindol project: Government assures water to farmhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to pacify the growing discontentment over the decision to go ahead with the Sindol power project, the State Government on Wednesday announced setting up of mega lift irrigation points on both sides of the barrage. Farmers of three Western Orissa districts -Boudh, Sonepur and Sambalpur- are strongly opposed to the National Hydro Power Corporation’s (NHPC) Rs 3,000-crore hydro power project. The Sindol project was scrapped several times in the past because of strong opposition from the locals who fear submergence of large tracts of agricultural land and several villages. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had said that the project will not be implemented while campaigning for Rairakhol bypoll in 2003, which the Biju Janata Dal eventually won. But the Government has again revived the project sparking off large-scale opposition. The Government maintained that the farmers of Boudh, Sonepur and Sambalpur will benefit from the proposed lift irrigation points to be set up on both sides of the project. The decision was taken at a high level meeting at the secretariat here presided over by Naveen. The Government clarified that there would be no submergence of villages or paddy fields as it has been decided to reduce the height of the barrages. The three units of the project would together generate 320 MW after completion of Sindol-I, II and III. Softening its earlier stand, the Congress maintained that the party will study the situation and announce its decision, if there will be no submergence and displacement due to the project. The Congress has asked the Government to clarify how many villages will be submerged and the families to be displaced by the project. The BJP has opposed the project. The party had even passed a resolution against the project in the recently held State executive and threatened to launch an agitation if it was not scrapped.
BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to pacify the growing discontentment over the decision to go ahead with the Sindol power project, the State Government on Wednesday announced setting up of mega lift irrigation points on both sides of the barrage. Farmers of three Western Orissa districts -Boudh, Sonepur and Sambalpur- are strongly opposed to the National Hydro Power Corporation’s (NHPC) Rs 3,000-crore hydro power project. The Sindol project was scrapped several times in the past because of strong opposition from the locals who fear submergence of large tracts of agricultural land and several villages. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had said that the project will not be implemented while campaigning for Rairakhol bypoll in 2003, which the Biju Janata Dal eventually won. But the Government has again revived the project sparking off large-scale opposition. The Government maintained that the farmers of Boudh, Sonepur and Sambalpur will benefit from the proposed lift irrigation points to be set up on both sides of the project. The decision was taken at a high level meeting at the secretariat here presided over by Naveen. The Government clarified that there would be no submergence of villages or paddy fields as it has been decided to reduce the height of the barrages. The three units of the project would together generate 320 MW after completion of Sindol-I, II and III. Softening its earlier stand, the Congress maintained that the party will study the situation and announce its decision, if there will be no submergence and displacement due to the project. The Congress has asked the Government to clarify how many villages will be submerged and the families to be displaced by the project. The BJP has opposed the project. The party had even passed a resolution against the project in the recently held State executive and threatened to launch an agitation if it was not scrapped.
Sindhol
Public hearing before Sindol project: Min
Source : Press Trust of India
published on : 8/3/2011 9:18:23 PM
Bhubaneswar: With resentment brewing in three districts of western Orissa over NHPC's Sindol project, the state government on Wednesday said it would conduct public hearings before implementing Rs 2,600 crore hydel project.
"We will take views of the local people before going ahead with the project," state energy minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak told reporters here.
Though the state government had been claiming that no one would be displaced or no agricultural land be submerged due to Sindol project, to be implemented in a joint venture between the public sector NHPC and the state-owned OHPC, the local people did not accept it.
According the MoU signed between NHPC and OHPC in presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on July 21, Sindol project would have three different hydro-power generation stations with installed capacity of 320 MW. The hydel power generation stations would be located in Sambalpur, Sonepur and Boudh districts.
The people in Sonepur on Wednesday observed a 12-hour bandh at the district headquarters opposing Sindol project.
The controversy over the Sindol project had meanwhile taken political turn with opposition Congress and BJP demanding clarification from the state government. The ruling BJD MLAs from the three districts have also expressed their concern over the state government's action of signing MoU for Sindol project without reading public mind.
Health minister Prasanna Acharya, food and supplies minister Niranjan Pujari and former minister and sitting Birmaharajpur MLA Padmanav Behera, have meanwhile expressed their displeasure over the state government's action of going ahead with the controversial Sindol project without consulting the people's representatives.
Source : Press Trust of India
published on : 8/3/2011 9:18:23 PM
Bhubaneswar: With resentment brewing in three districts of western Orissa over NHPC's Sindol project, the state government on Wednesday said it would conduct public hearings before implementing Rs 2,600 crore hydel project.
"We will take views of the local people before going ahead with the project," state energy minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak told reporters here.
Though the state government had been claiming that no one would be displaced or no agricultural land be submerged due to Sindol project, to be implemented in a joint venture between the public sector NHPC and the state-owned OHPC, the local people did not accept it.
According the MoU signed between NHPC and OHPC in presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on July 21, Sindol project would have three different hydro-power generation stations with installed capacity of 320 MW. The hydel power generation stations would be located in Sambalpur, Sonepur and Boudh districts.
The people in Sonepur on Wednesday observed a 12-hour bandh at the district headquarters opposing Sindol project.
The controversy over the Sindol project had meanwhile taken political turn with opposition Congress and BJP demanding clarification from the state government. The ruling BJD MLAs from the three districts have also expressed their concern over the state government's action of signing MoU for Sindol project without reading public mind.
Health minister Prasanna Acharya, food and supplies minister Niranjan Pujari and former minister and sitting Birmaharajpur MLA Padmanav Behera, have meanwhile expressed their displeasure over the state government's action of going ahead with the controversial Sindol project without consulting the people's representatives.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Mahanadi
Collector assures Inquiry into crop damage
Indian Express 25th July 2011
Sambalpur: Enraged farmers met Sambapur Collector Mrinalini Darswal here on Monday demanding adequate compensation for paddy crop damaged due to emission from the smelter plant of Hindalco at Hirakud. They were led by Sambapur Zilla Krushak Surakhya Sanghatan (SZKSS) president Murari Prasad Purohit.
Darswal assured the farmers to visit damaged farms and take up the issue with Hindalco management. On 23rd July farmers from Nua Jamda, dengimocha and Mohmadpur villages in the vicinity of the smelter plant of Hindalco found their paddy sapling damaged due to release of Suspended particulate matter (SPM) from the plant. Paddy sapling in over 25 acres of land across in three villages were destroyed while standing crop on about 15 acres in Nua Jamda village were damaged.
Later the villagers informed the deputy director of agriculture Ashok Mohanty who dispatched a team of scientists to the spot. The team confirmed damage to the crops.
Indian Express 25th July 2011
Sambalpur: Enraged farmers met Sambapur Collector Mrinalini Darswal here on Monday demanding adequate compensation for paddy crop damaged due to emission from the smelter plant of Hindalco at Hirakud. They were led by Sambapur Zilla Krushak Surakhya Sanghatan (SZKSS) president Murari Prasad Purohit.
Darswal assured the farmers to visit damaged farms and take up the issue with Hindalco management. On 23rd July farmers from Nua Jamda, dengimocha and Mohmadpur villages in the vicinity of the smelter plant of Hindalco found their paddy sapling damaged due to release of Suspended particulate matter (SPM) from the plant. Paddy sapling in over 25 acres of land across in three villages were destroyed while standing crop on about 15 acres in Nua Jamda village were damaged.
Later the villagers informed the deputy director of agriculture Ashok Mohanty who dispatched a team of scientists to the spot. The team confirmed damage to the crops.
Sindhol Updates
Shutdown in Orissa against power plantshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Bhubaneswar, Aug 9 (IANS) Normal life was affected in two Orissa districts Tuesday with people blocking roads and carrying out marches to protest proposed power plants in the area.
Vehicles went off the road in several places of Sambalpur and Boudh districts due to the daylong shutdown called by Kosal Kranti Dal and Sambalpur Lawyers Association.
Shops, business establishments, schools and colleges were also found closed in leading towns in both the districts, a senior police officer from the region told IANS.
Train services were also affected as protestors squatted on rail tracks at places like Rairakhol and Sambalpur, he said.
The state-run NHPC Ltd last month signed a pact with the state government to set up hydropower plants in Subarnapur (100 MW), Sambalpur (100 MW) and Boudh (120 MW) districts across Mahanadi river in western Orissa.
The government said there will be no displacement due to these projects. It said public hearings will be held in the project area in view of opposition.
However, residents are not buying the arguments.
"The government should scrap the project. Why does the government want to conduct public hearings when the projects are already facing opposition," P.K. Rath, a protest leader, told IANS.
The hydropower generating company will build the plants in five years' time in a joint venture with the Orissa state-run Hydro Power Corporation with a combined investment of Rs.2,600 crore to generate 320 MW power.
Protestors said the projects would hit at least 118 villages wholly or partially and would bring untold miseries and devastation to people of the area.
People also fear the plants will submerge several temples, including the world famous Huma Temple in Sambalpur district.
"People had stoutly opposed this project in the past, why is the government pursuing it again and again," another protestor asked.
Bhubaneswar, Aug 9 (IANS) Normal life was affected in two Orissa districts Tuesday with people blocking roads and carrying out marches to protest proposed power plants in the area.
Vehicles went off the road in several places of Sambalpur and Boudh districts due to the daylong shutdown called by Kosal Kranti Dal and Sambalpur Lawyers Association.
Shops, business establishments, schools and colleges were also found closed in leading towns in both the districts, a senior police officer from the region told IANS.
Train services were also affected as protestors squatted on rail tracks at places like Rairakhol and Sambalpur, he said.
The state-run NHPC Ltd last month signed a pact with the state government to set up hydropower plants in Subarnapur (100 MW), Sambalpur (100 MW) and Boudh (120 MW) districts across Mahanadi river in western Orissa.
The government said there will be no displacement due to these projects. It said public hearings will be held in the project area in view of opposition.
However, residents are not buying the arguments.
"The government should scrap the project. Why does the government want to conduct public hearings when the projects are already facing opposition," P.K. Rath, a protest leader, told IANS.
The hydropower generating company will build the plants in five years' time in a joint venture with the Orissa state-run Hydro Power Corporation with a combined investment of Rs.2,600 crore to generate 320 MW power.
Protestors said the projects would hit at least 118 villages wholly or partially and would bring untold miseries and devastation to people of the area.
People also fear the plants will submerge several temples, including the world famous Huma Temple in Sambalpur district.
"People had stoutly opposed this project in the past, why is the government pursuing it again and again," another protestor asked.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Mahanadi Conflict
Mahanadi water allocation draws HC attention
Jul 27, 2011, 11.33pm IST
CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has directed the state government to file a reply on allocation of water from river Mahanadi to different industries within two weeks. The directive came from the bench of Chief Justice V Gopala Gowda and Justice B N Mohapatra on Tuesday following a PIL filed by Gouranga Charan Hota, convenor of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan, opposing water being allocated to industries.
The petitioner stated that according to the Water Policy of 2007, river water should be first used for drinking and followed by irrigation. But the state government is busy allocating the river water to industries without considering the plight of the common man and farmers.
The petitioner cited that Mahanadi water has been allocated to industries like Posco and Oil India Limited. This diversion would lead to acute shortage of water and?farmers would face problems in irrigating their land
Jul 27, 2011, 11.33pm IST
CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has directed the state government to file a reply on allocation of water from river Mahanadi to different industries within two weeks. The directive came from the bench of Chief Justice V Gopala Gowda and Justice B N Mohapatra on Tuesday following a PIL filed by Gouranga Charan Hota, convenor of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan, opposing water being allocated to industries.
The petitioner stated that according to the Water Policy of 2007, river water should be first used for drinking and followed by irrigation. But the state government is busy allocating the river water to industries without considering the plight of the common man and farmers.
The petitioner cited that Mahanadi water has been allocated to industries like Posco and Oil India Limited. This diversion would lead to acute shortage of water and?farmers would face problems in irrigating their land
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Mahanadi Banchao Andolan
Save Mahanadi outfit ups the ante
First Published : 29 Dec 2010 07:14:57 AM IST
Last Updated : 29 Dec 2010 11:52:46 AM IST
CUTTACK: The Mahanadi Banchao Andolan has upped the ante over diversion of water to industries and alleged illegalities in land acquisition, this time in particular reference to the Tata Power project at Naraj on the outskirts here. The organisation in association with the local Siddheswar Anchalik Surakshya Committee today announced it would intensify agitation against the project to protect the interests of the farmers as well as general public.
At a farmers’ rally at Naraj Marthapur, andolan leader and former minister Bijoy Mohapatra said the 1000-MW power project would have serious repercussions not only on the environment but also on agriculture, irrigation and drinking water availability in the region. Over 50,000 people of the three gram panchayats of Naraj Marthapur, Mundali and Ramdaspur would be seriously affected by the project.
The project would use about 46,684 cusec of water from the Mahanadi river which will have serious implications for water availability for different purposes. As it is the water holding capacity of the river has gone down alarmingly in the recent years, thanks to the inaction and faulty policies of the Government. Drawing of huge volume of water would lead to depletion of groundwater table while water would not be adequately available for irrigation in and around the region. Irrigation activities through Puri Main Canal, Taladanda Canal, Machagaon Canal and Gobari canal would be affected, Mohapatra warned.
First Published : 29 Dec 2010 07:14:57 AM IST
Last Updated : 29 Dec 2010 11:52:46 AM IST
CUTTACK: The Mahanadi Banchao Andolan has upped the ante over diversion of water to industries and alleged illegalities in land acquisition, this time in particular reference to the Tata Power project at Naraj on the outskirts here. The organisation in association with the local Siddheswar Anchalik Surakshya Committee today announced it would intensify agitation against the project to protect the interests of the farmers as well as general public.
At a farmers’ rally at Naraj Marthapur, andolan leader and former minister Bijoy Mohapatra said the 1000-MW power project would have serious repercussions not only on the environment but also on agriculture, irrigation and drinking water availability in the region. Over 50,000 people of the three gram panchayats of Naraj Marthapur, Mundali and Ramdaspur would be seriously affected by the project.
The project would use about 46,684 cusec of water from the Mahanadi river which will have serious implications for water availability for different purposes. As it is the water holding capacity of the river has gone down alarmingly in the recent years, thanks to the inaction and faulty policies of the Government. Drawing of huge volume of water would lead to depletion of groundwater table while water would not be adequately available for irrigation in and around the region. Irrigation activities through Puri Main Canal, Taladanda Canal, Machagaon Canal and Gobari canal would be affected, Mohapatra warned.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Orissa villagers protest Essar Steel dredging work
Hundreds of villagers under the banner of Gramya Suraksha Samiti and Paradip Krushak Mancha protested the dredging work of Essar Steel in Mahanadi River near Paradip. They were agitating over non fulfillment of their demands.
The agitation affected the sand filling work of the land acquired by the company for setting up of a six million tonne steel plant.
Villagers alleged that Essar Steel was trying to purchase private land for the project at lesser price using land mafias and ignoring the claims of the affected villagers for higher compensation. Besides they accused the company of violating costal regulation zone act, causing soil erosion, giving preference to outsiders in employment and harassing contract labour engaged in construction work.
Mr Bhagban Swain secretary of Paradip Krushak Mancha said that the company is dredging the shore line of the river in stead of its middle portion which has resulted in the river ingression into the agricultural land on the river bank.
He said that farmers are unable to cultivate paddy as the saline water has submerged their land. The company is yet to give compensation to the affected farmer. Hence, the villagers marched to the site where the company is conducting the dredging and stopped the work demanding payment of compensation.
Earlier, the villagers had protested the dredging work on three occasions following which the Essar Steel authority and district administration had given assurance to conduct survey about the soil erosion and damage suffered by the farmers by technical experts. But later nothing happened and ignoring the demands of the affected people, the company restarted the dredging work on Mahandai River. In protest, the irate villagers stopped the dredging work.
President of Gramya Suraksha Samiti, Tofan Swain said that the organization would hold an awareness meeting at Bhubaneswar on November 7 to highlight the plight of the villagers. On the other hand, Kujang tahsildar Basudev Pradhan said, the necessary permission for dredging has been given by the Cuttack division of Irrigation Department of the state government.
Hundreds of villagers under the banner of Gramya Suraksha Samiti and Paradip Krushak Mancha protested the dredging work of Essar Steel in Mahanadi River near Paradip. They were agitating over non fulfillment of their demands.
The agitation affected the sand filling work of the land acquired by the company for setting up of a six million tonne steel plant.
Villagers alleged that Essar Steel was trying to purchase private land for the project at lesser price using land mafias and ignoring the claims of the affected villagers for higher compensation. Besides they accused the company of violating costal regulation zone act, causing soil erosion, giving preference to outsiders in employment and harassing contract labour engaged in construction work.
Mr Bhagban Swain secretary of Paradip Krushak Mancha said that the company is dredging the shore line of the river in stead of its middle portion which has resulted in the river ingression into the agricultural land on the river bank.
He said that farmers are unable to cultivate paddy as the saline water has submerged their land. The company is yet to give compensation to the affected farmer. Hence, the villagers marched to the site where the company is conducting the dredging and stopped the work demanding payment of compensation.
Earlier, the villagers had protested the dredging work on three occasions following which the Essar Steel authority and district administration had given assurance to conduct survey about the soil erosion and damage suffered by the farmers by technical experts. But later nothing happened and ignoring the demands of the affected people, the company restarted the dredging work on Mahandai River. In protest, the irate villagers stopped the dredging work.
President of Gramya Suraksha Samiti, Tofan Swain said that the organization would hold an awareness meeting at Bhubaneswar on November 7 to highlight the plight of the villagers. On the other hand, Kujang tahsildar Basudev Pradhan said, the necessary permission for dredging has been given by the Cuttack division of Irrigation Department of the state government.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Save Mahanadi
Save Mahanadi' activists target Tata project
Correspondent
CUTTACK: Now the Mahanadi Bachao (Save Mahanadi) Andolan activists have targeted the proposed 1000 MW thermal power project of Tata Company near Naraj and have threatened that not a single drop of river water would be allowed to be diverted to this project.
Joining in a massive rally on Sunday organised by the locals who have been opposing the project for several other reasons, the leaders of Save Mahanadi organisation threw their weight behind the local people.
Rally taken out
Hundreds of locals, accompanied by outfit activists took out a rally in the locality and organized a public meeting at a nearby school playground which was attended among others by the outfit leaders like former minister Bijay Mohapatra, Samir Dey and several other leaders.
Urging the local people to vehemently oppose the project, the speakers pointed out that valuable agricultural land in the locality would be damaged if the proposed thermal power plant comes up in the area.
They also threatened that the project if at all comes up in the locality; it would not be allowed to draw water from Mahanadi River.
The locals had been opposing the project ever since the state government issued notification about the project in November 2008.
They say the thermal power would severely disturb the local environment and the Millennium city would be the hottest place in the state thereby putting the eight lakh populace in misery.
Correspondent
CUTTACK: Now the Mahanadi Bachao (Save Mahanadi) Andolan activists have targeted the proposed 1000 MW thermal power project of Tata Company near Naraj and have threatened that not a single drop of river water would be allowed to be diverted to this project.
Joining in a massive rally on Sunday organised by the locals who have been opposing the project for several other reasons, the leaders of Save Mahanadi organisation threw their weight behind the local people.
Rally taken out
Hundreds of locals, accompanied by outfit activists took out a rally in the locality and organized a public meeting at a nearby school playground which was attended among others by the outfit leaders like former minister Bijay Mohapatra, Samir Dey and several other leaders.
Urging the local people to vehemently oppose the project, the speakers pointed out that valuable agricultural land in the locality would be damaged if the proposed thermal power plant comes up in the area.
They also threatened that the project if at all comes up in the locality; it would not be allowed to draw water from Mahanadi River.
The locals had been opposing the project ever since the state government issued notification about the project in November 2008.
They say the thermal power would severely disturb the local environment and the Millennium city would be the hottest place in the state thereby putting the eight lakh populace in misery.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Shifting attention: POSCO going for Hansua leaving the Mahanadi
Our Mr Secretary, WRD (plz read the following news) is also falling trap to the same 'river water going to sea is a waste' beief, that our Ministers have earlier fallen to. Kudos to their advisors, married to this 'engineering paradigm'! They have been successful in perpetuating and implanting this dangerously wrong beief in the minds of decision makers. This shows the urgent need of carrying out damage control awareness and sensitization campaign among our beuraucrats and politcians on the understanding of our rivers in entirety and the implications of environmental flow.
At the same time, it is also difficult to understand, how a barrage downstream will solve the problems of waterlogging in Hansua, as the Secretary has put it. Civil society must also seek to know the basis of calculation which claims 'excess' water in Hansua.
Mahanadi Banchao Andolan, being a movement to safeguard the interests of communities and river, in stead of welcoming this move, must ask for a detailed assessment of impact of this barrage on lives and livelihoods the communities and farmers in Hansua sub-basin.
Orissa Govt asks Posco to consider alternative water source
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Report by Orissa Diary correspondent; Jagatsinghpur: After the Meena Gupta Committee visit the Proposed Posco site and held discussions with officials on water linkage to the steel mill, the state government is now evaluating alternative source of water for Posco.
The state government which confronted widespread protest from Mahanadi Banchao Andolan committee is now contemplating alternate water source to Posco and has initiated a survey in this regard.
In 2006, the water resources department had granted permission to Posco to draw water from Jobra barrage. With MoEF inquiring the ecological impact on the river and its surroundings, the government is now planning to ask Posco to draw water from Hansua river in Jagatsinghpur which is 7 km away from the proposed site.The government would ask Posco to build a barrage on Hansua river to hold water for its industrial use. The river which flows through four blocks of the district culminates at Jatadhari basin near the captive port site.
The farmers in the area have expressed concerns over drawing of water for the project as they depend on the river water for irrigation purposes.
The Secretary of Water Resources Department Suresh Mohapatra said that the excess water of Hansua river would be properly utilised instead being discharged to the sea, it could also help local farmers by avoiding a regular water logging over 10,000 to 15,000 hectare of agricultural field in Jagatsinghpur district.
The leaders of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan committee has welcomed the decision of state government to provide alternate source of water to Posco rather than providing water from river Mahanadi.
At the same time, it is also difficult to understand, how a barrage downstream will solve the problems of waterlogging in Hansua, as the Secretary has put it. Civil society must also seek to know the basis of calculation which claims 'excess' water in Hansua.
Mahanadi Banchao Andolan, being a movement to safeguard the interests of communities and river, in stead of welcoming this move, must ask for a detailed assessment of impact of this barrage on lives and livelihoods the communities and farmers in Hansua sub-basin.
Orissa Govt asks Posco to consider alternative water source
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Report by Orissa Diary correspondent; Jagatsinghpur: After the Meena Gupta Committee visit the Proposed Posco site and held discussions with officials on water linkage to the steel mill, the state government is now evaluating alternative source of water for Posco.
The state government which confronted widespread protest from Mahanadi Banchao Andolan committee is now contemplating alternate water source to Posco and has initiated a survey in this regard.
In 2006, the water resources department had granted permission to Posco to draw water from Jobra barrage. With MoEF inquiring the ecological impact on the river and its surroundings, the government is now planning to ask Posco to draw water from Hansua river in Jagatsinghpur which is 7 km away from the proposed site.The government would ask Posco to build a barrage on Hansua river to hold water for its industrial use. The river which flows through four blocks of the district culminates at Jatadhari basin near the captive port site.
The farmers in the area have expressed concerns over drawing of water for the project as they depend on the river water for irrigation purposes.
The Secretary of Water Resources Department Suresh Mohapatra said that the excess water of Hansua river would be properly utilised instead being discharged to the sea, it could also help local farmers by avoiding a regular water logging over 10,000 to 15,000 hectare of agricultural field in Jagatsinghpur district.
The leaders of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan committee has welcomed the decision of state government to provide alternate source of water to Posco rather than providing water from river Mahanadi.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Urban Water Supply
Govt set to plug overflowing taps
- Awareness drive to pay fine and legalise water connections
SUBHASHISH MOHANTY
When several districts in the state is facing drought-like situation, citizens in Bhubaneswar show no concern to save water. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee
Bhubaneswar, Aug. 22: Believe it or not. Nearly 100 million litre of water gets wasted in the city everyday.
Bhubaneswar is one of the few cities in the country where the water supply capacity is almost double its requirement.
Though the city’s requires 160 million litres of water daily, the public health engineering department has the capacity to supply 260 million litres of water everyday.
“Nearly 100 million litres of water gets wasted everyday because of lack of awareness among the people on the use of water,” said M.R. Nanda, executive engineer of Bhubaneswar city. Officials said it could be stopped if the state government plans to introduce water metre.
The officials said that though the government had mooted the idea to introduce water metre, it has so far refrained from implementing the scheme fearing public backlash.
At present, Bhubaneswar gets water from Mahanadi, Daya and Kuakhai rivers. While 125 million litres of water is being taken everyday from Kuakhai, 20 million litres is drawn from Daya and 60 million litres from Mahanadi. The rest is sourced from underground water sources and small streams.
In a bid to crack down on illegal water connections, the public health engineering department has regularised 819 unauthorised connections during the last seven days in the city.
“We have collected Rs 15 lakh by converting unauthorised connections into regular ones. The money has been collected under the amnesty scheme that ended on Friday. Though the amnesty scheme has ended, there are several other schemes that the people can avail and take benefit from,” said Nanda.
He further added that all attempts had been made to regularise illegal water connections. Though it is very difficult to ascertain the exact number of illegal connections, Bhubaneswar has 61,000 regular connection points. Over the last two years, the number of regular water connections has jumped from 54,000 to 61,000.
One connection point can provide water to more than 400 households. “The entire campus of Utkal University is considered a single connection,” he said.
To reach out to the masses and create awareness among the people, the public health engineering department has started a water connection mela.
“We visit a particular area on public holidays so that people can take benefit of our awareness campaigns. At these camps, local residents can regularise their unauthorised connections by paying a fine of Rs 500,” he added.
Earlier, one had to wait for nearly 20-30 days to get a new connection. Now one can get a connection by paying Rs 3,060 even in instalments to get an authorised connection. “The monthly average collection of the waste cess is around Rs 1.20 core,” Nanda added.
- Awareness drive to pay fine and legalise water connections
SUBHASHISH MOHANTY
When several districts in the state is facing drought-like situation, citizens in Bhubaneswar show no concern to save water. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee
Bhubaneswar, Aug. 22: Believe it or not. Nearly 100 million litre of water gets wasted in the city everyday.
Bhubaneswar is one of the few cities in the country where the water supply capacity is almost double its requirement.
Though the city’s requires 160 million litres of water daily, the public health engineering department has the capacity to supply 260 million litres of water everyday.
“Nearly 100 million litres of water gets wasted everyday because of lack of awareness among the people on the use of water,” said M.R. Nanda, executive engineer of Bhubaneswar city. Officials said it could be stopped if the state government plans to introduce water metre.
The officials said that though the government had mooted the idea to introduce water metre, it has so far refrained from implementing the scheme fearing public backlash.
At present, Bhubaneswar gets water from Mahanadi, Daya and Kuakhai rivers. While 125 million litres of water is being taken everyday from Kuakhai, 20 million litres is drawn from Daya and 60 million litres from Mahanadi. The rest is sourced from underground water sources and small streams.
In a bid to crack down on illegal water connections, the public health engineering department has regularised 819 unauthorised connections during the last seven days in the city.
“We have collected Rs 15 lakh by converting unauthorised connections into regular ones. The money has been collected under the amnesty scheme that ended on Friday. Though the amnesty scheme has ended, there are several other schemes that the people can avail and take benefit from,” said Nanda.
He further added that all attempts had been made to regularise illegal water connections. Though it is very difficult to ascertain the exact number of illegal connections, Bhubaneswar has 61,000 regular connection points. Over the last two years, the number of regular water connections has jumped from 54,000 to 61,000.
One connection point can provide water to more than 400 households. “The entire campus of Utkal University is considered a single connection,” he said.
To reach out to the masses and create awareness among the people, the public health engineering department has started a water connection mela.
“We visit a particular area on public holidays so that people can take benefit of our awareness campaigns. At these camps, local residents can regularise their unauthorised connections by paying a fine of Rs 500,” he added.
Earlier, one had to wait for nearly 20-30 days to get a new connection. Now one can get a connection by paying Rs 3,060 even in instalments to get an authorised connection. “The monthly average collection of the waste cess is around Rs 1.20 core,” Nanda added.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Pressure mounts on Naveen to stop water supply to industries from Mahanadi
Pressure mounts on Naveen to stop water supply to industries from Mahanadi
18 Jul 2010, 2318 hrs IST,Nageshwar Patnaik,ET Bureau
BHUBANESWAR: The Naveen Patnaik government has come under pressure to discontinue water supply to industries from Mahanadi River and form Water Commission to study water availability in the state's largest river.
Mahanadi Banchao Andolan, a newly formed forum comprising leaders of various political parties and social activists, on Sunday called upon the state government to discontinue water supply from Mahanadi to industrial houses failing which it would launch a vigorous protest campaign across the state.
"Mahanadi River is the lifeline of Orissa. The Hirakud dam, Naraj and Jobra barrages were constructed over it basically to cater to the irrigation and drinking water requirements. However, the present government is deliberately allowing the industrial houses from to draw water from these places at the cost of the farmers," said senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra.
Stating that water from Jobra barrage could not be supplied to farmers during the kharif season last year because of inadequate availability of the resource, Mr Mohapatra said the situation in coastal Orissa could somehow be saved after 3000 cusecs of water was released from Hirakud dam between September 30 and October 30.
Hirakud dam, which was constructed half a century ago, has lost its live storage capacity due to siltation and construction of nearly 30 dams and barrages in Chhattishgarh. Hydro-power generated from the dam has also come down from 240 mw to 90 mw due to inadequate water availability.
"When the water flow has gone down drastically to the dam, the government is committing water from it to heavy power and metal industries. Farmers are committing suicide due to lack of water. No sane and civilised government can act like this," Mr Mohapatra said.
The BJP leader called upon the state government to constitute a water commission on the lines of other state governments to study the water availability in the Mahanadi system. "Let the state government constitute a water commission. Until then water supply to all industries should be stopped forthwith," Mr Mohapatra said.
Congress leader Umesh Swain, who is also an active member of the forum, said a sitting high court justice should head the commission.
Samrudha Odisha leader Panchanan Kanungo, social workers Prabhat Mishra and Mahanadi Banchao Andolan convenor Hota, who were present in the press meet, said the forum would intensify its agitation against the state government if the later did not scrap all its water supply commitments to industrial houses.
The forum would meet on Thursday to decide its next course of action, convenor Mr Rout informed.
18 Jul 2010, 2318 hrs IST,Nageshwar Patnaik,ET Bureau
BHUBANESWAR: The Naveen Patnaik government has come under pressure to discontinue water supply to industries from Mahanadi River and form Water Commission to study water availability in the state's largest river.
Mahanadi Banchao Andolan, a newly formed forum comprising leaders of various political parties and social activists, on Sunday called upon the state government to discontinue water supply from Mahanadi to industrial houses failing which it would launch a vigorous protest campaign across the state.
"Mahanadi River is the lifeline of Orissa. The Hirakud dam, Naraj and Jobra barrages were constructed over it basically to cater to the irrigation and drinking water requirements. However, the present government is deliberately allowing the industrial houses from to draw water from these places at the cost of the farmers," said senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra.
Stating that water from Jobra barrage could not be supplied to farmers during the kharif season last year because of inadequate availability of the resource, Mr Mohapatra said the situation in coastal Orissa could somehow be saved after 3000 cusecs of water was released from Hirakud dam between September 30 and October 30.
Hirakud dam, which was constructed half a century ago, has lost its live storage capacity due to siltation and construction of nearly 30 dams and barrages in Chhattishgarh. Hydro-power generated from the dam has also come down from 240 mw to 90 mw due to inadequate water availability.
"When the water flow has gone down drastically to the dam, the government is committing water from it to heavy power and metal industries. Farmers are committing suicide due to lack of water. No sane and civilised government can act like this," Mr Mohapatra said.
The BJP leader called upon the state government to constitute a water commission on the lines of other state governments to study the water availability in the Mahanadi system. "Let the state government constitute a water commission. Until then water supply to all industries should be stopped forthwith," Mr Mohapatra said.
Congress leader Umesh Swain, who is also an active member of the forum, said a sitting high court justice should head the commission.
Samrudha Odisha leader Panchanan Kanungo, social workers Prabhat Mishra and Mahanadi Banchao Andolan convenor Hota, who were present in the press meet, said the forum would intensify its agitation against the state government if the later did not scrap all its water supply commitments to industrial houses.
The forum would meet on Thursday to decide its next course of action, convenor Mr Rout informed.
Halt diversion of Mahanadi water to industries: MBA to Orissa
Halt diversion of Mahanadi water to industries: MBA to Orissa
Sun, Jul 18 06:13 PM
Bhubaneswar, July 18 (PTI) Mahanadi Banchao Andolan (MBA) today appealed to the Orissa government to immediately halt diversion of the river water to industries and demanded setting up a committee to analyse water availability in the Mahanadi. The situation warrants constitution of Mahanadi Commission to technically analyse availability of water for irrigation and other purposes.
Till then, supply of its water to industries must be stopped, senior leaders and functionaries of the MBA told reporters here. Describing as "foolish" the BJD government''s claim that agriculture will not be affected due to industrial use of river water, BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra, who is associated with the MBA, said the decision to divert water to industries must be reconsidered.
He said similar commissions have been constituted in some other states like Karnataka for proper and judicious use of river water. Hitting out at the government for not having any water conservation policy or programme, he alleged no step had been taken for storage of water either upstream of Hirakud dam or downstream of Mahanadi river.
Supply of water to four industries already drawing from the Mahanadi has been considerably reduced but the government wants to provide water to more units claiming that there is plenty of water for both agriculture and industrial use, Mohapatra said. Convener of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan Gouranga Charan Hota said the agitation against supply of river water to industries would be intensified across the state.
MBA leaders also alleged that the Orissa government''s decision to divert water at the cost of irrigation was "irrational, anti-farmer and anti-poor." PTI SKN PR.
Sun, Jul 18 06:13 PM
Bhubaneswar, July 18 (PTI) Mahanadi Banchao Andolan (MBA) today appealed to the Orissa government to immediately halt diversion of the river water to industries and demanded setting up a committee to analyse water availability in the Mahanadi. The situation warrants constitution of Mahanadi Commission to technically analyse availability of water for irrigation and other purposes.
Till then, supply of its water to industries must be stopped, senior leaders and functionaries of the MBA told reporters here. Describing as "foolish" the BJD government''s claim that agriculture will not be affected due to industrial use of river water, BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra, who is associated with the MBA, said the decision to divert water to industries must be reconsidered.
He said similar commissions have been constituted in some other states like Karnataka for proper and judicious use of river water. Hitting out at the government for not having any water conservation policy or programme, he alleged no step had been taken for storage of water either upstream of Hirakud dam or downstream of Mahanadi river.
Supply of water to four industries already drawing from the Mahanadi has been considerably reduced but the government wants to provide water to more units claiming that there is plenty of water for both agriculture and industrial use, Mohapatra said. Convener of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan Gouranga Charan Hota said the agitation against supply of river water to industries would be intensified across the state.
MBA leaders also alleged that the Orissa government''s decision to divert water at the cost of irrigation was "irrational, anti-farmer and anti-poor." PTI SKN PR.
Halt diversion of Mahanadi water to industries: MBA to Orissa
Halt diversion of Mahanadi water to industries: MBA to Orissa
Sun, Jul 18 06:13 PM
Bhubaneswar, July 18 (PTI) Mahanadi Banchao Andolan (MBA) today appealed to the Orissa government to immediately halt diversion of the river water to industries and demanded setting up a committee to analyse water availability in the Mahanadi. The situation warrants constitution of Mahanadi Commission to technically analyse availability of water for irrigation and other purposes.
Till then, supply of its water to industries must be stopped, senior leaders and functionaries of the MBA told reporters here. Describing as "foolish" the BJD government''s claim that agriculture will not be affected due to industrial use of river water, BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra, who is associated with the MBA, said the decision to divert water to industries must be reconsidered.
He said similar commissions have been constituted in some other states like Karnataka for proper and judicious use of river water. Hitting out at the government for not having any water conservation policy or programme, he alleged no step had been taken for storage of water either upstream of Hirakud dam or downstream of Mahanadi river.
Supply of water to four industries already drawing from the Mahanadi has been considerably reduced but the government wants to provide water to more units claiming that there is plenty of water for both agriculture and industrial use, Mohapatra said. Convener of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan Gouranga Charan Hota said the agitation against supply of river water to industries would be intensified across the state.
MBA leaders also alleged that the Orissa government''s decision to divert water at the cost of irrigation was "irrational, anti-farmer and anti-poor." PTI SKN PR.
Sun, Jul 18 06:13 PM
Bhubaneswar, July 18 (PTI) Mahanadi Banchao Andolan (MBA) today appealed to the Orissa government to immediately halt diversion of the river water to industries and demanded setting up a committee to analyse water availability in the Mahanadi. The situation warrants constitution of Mahanadi Commission to technically analyse availability of water for irrigation and other purposes.
Till then, supply of its water to industries must be stopped, senior leaders and functionaries of the MBA told reporters here. Describing as "foolish" the BJD government''s claim that agriculture will not be affected due to industrial use of river water, BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra, who is associated with the MBA, said the decision to divert water to industries must be reconsidered.
He said similar commissions have been constituted in some other states like Karnataka for proper and judicious use of river water. Hitting out at the government for not having any water conservation policy or programme, he alleged no step had been taken for storage of water either upstream of Hirakud dam or downstream of Mahanadi river.
Supply of water to four industries already drawing from the Mahanadi has been considerably reduced but the government wants to provide water to more units claiming that there is plenty of water for both agriculture and industrial use, Mohapatra said. Convener of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan Gouranga Charan Hota said the agitation against supply of river water to industries would be intensified across the state.
MBA leaders also alleged that the Orissa government''s decision to divert water at the cost of irrigation was "irrational, anti-farmer and anti-poor." PTI SKN PR.
MBA demands separate commission on Mahandi river
MBA demands separate commission on Mahandi river
Bhubaneswar, Jul 18 : The Mahanadi Bachao Andolon (MBA) today demanded a separate commission be constituted on the pattern of Kaveri Commission in Tamilnadu to study the Mahanadi river system and decide the availability of water for irrigation and industrial houses.
MBA is a new outfit agitating against the industrial houses drawing water from Mahanadi river.
Until the Commission was constituted, no water should be allotted to the industrial units across the state from Mahanadi river, Hirakud reservoir and canal system, MBA Convenor G C Hota and and former Minister Bijaya Mohapatra said.
Addressing newspersons here, Mr Mohapatra criticised the Naveen Patnaik government for allowing several industrial houses to draw the water from Mahanadi completely ignoring the adverse impact it would have on the farmers community largely depended upon the river for agriculture.
He said the Mahanadi river is drying up and the water level at various points has decreased alarmingly as the 23,000 kms catchments areas of Hirakud reservoir has been intercepted by the Chhatisgarh governemnt which has by now already constructed nearly 30 check dams both minor and major to draw water.
The water capacity of the reservoir over the years had also decreased due to heavy siltation, Mr Mohapatra said, adding that over drawing of water by the industrial houses would further complicate the situation affecting the livelihood of lakhs of farmers.
Mr Mohapatra said the state government should find out alternative source of water while signing MoU with the industrial houses instead of allowing the companies to draw water from Mahanadi river.
He said as many as half of the districts in Orissa covered by the Mahanadi basin had already been affected due to shrinkage of water level of the river at various points.
The MBA leader said they would oppose the state government's move to provide water from Jobra barrage to POSCO, Indian Oil Company and SR Steels on the ground that it would have serious impact on the agriculture in Coastal Orissa.
He said the MBA has organised a massive rally at Jobra on Friday last to lodge its strong protest against the decision of the state government to provide water from the Jobra barrage to POSCO, Indian Oil Company and SR Steels and from Naraj barage to Tata Steel without any study on the availability of water from these two barrage of the Mahanadi river system.
Bhubaneswar, Jul 18 : The Mahanadi Bachao Andolon (MBA) today demanded a separate commission be constituted on the pattern of Kaveri Commission in Tamilnadu to study the Mahanadi river system and decide the availability of water for irrigation and industrial houses.
MBA is a new outfit agitating against the industrial houses drawing water from Mahanadi river.
Until the Commission was constituted, no water should be allotted to the industrial units across the state from Mahanadi river, Hirakud reservoir and canal system, MBA Convenor G C Hota and and former Minister Bijaya Mohapatra said.
Addressing newspersons here, Mr Mohapatra criticised the Naveen Patnaik government for allowing several industrial houses to draw the water from Mahanadi completely ignoring the adverse impact it would have on the farmers community largely depended upon the river for agriculture.
He said the Mahanadi river is drying up and the water level at various points has decreased alarmingly as the 23,000 kms catchments areas of Hirakud reservoir has been intercepted by the Chhatisgarh governemnt which has by now already constructed nearly 30 check dams both minor and major to draw water.
The water capacity of the reservoir over the years had also decreased due to heavy siltation, Mr Mohapatra said, adding that over drawing of water by the industrial houses would further complicate the situation affecting the livelihood of lakhs of farmers.
Mr Mohapatra said the state government should find out alternative source of water while signing MoU with the industrial houses instead of allowing the companies to draw water from Mahanadi river.
He said as many as half of the districts in Orissa covered by the Mahanadi basin had already been affected due to shrinkage of water level of the river at various points.
The MBA leader said they would oppose the state government's move to provide water from Jobra barrage to POSCO, Indian Oil Company and SR Steels on the ground that it would have serious impact on the agriculture in Coastal Orissa.
He said the MBA has organised a massive rally at Jobra on Friday last to lodge its strong protest against the decision of the state government to provide water from the Jobra barrage to POSCO, Indian Oil Company and SR Steels and from Naraj barage to Tata Steel without any study on the availability of water from these two barrage of the Mahanadi river system.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
People protest industries being given Mahanadi's water
People protest industries being given Mahanadi's water
2010-07-16 19:50:00
More then two thousands residents, and social and political activists Friday staged a protest in Orissa's Cuttack city against the use of water from Mahanadi river by industries.
Accusing the state government of providing water meant for drinking and irrigation to various industries, the demonstrators also threatened to launch a massive agitation if the government does not cancel its plan.
'The government cannot give water to industries when there is already a scarcity,' Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Dharmendra Pradhan, who was among the protesters, told IANS.
'Adequate water is not available for drinking and irrigation purpose. Residents of Cuttack city depend on Mahanadi river water and they are already facing water problems. The government has not made any capacity enhancement of the river water resources,' he said.
More then 400 activists also carried out a motorcycle rally in the city, 26 km from Bhubaneswar, before gathering at city's Jobra area near the Mahanadi river bank where a protest meeting was held under the banner of 'Mahanadi Bancho Committee'.
Leaders of several other political parties, eminent citizens, women leaders and social activists also participated in the demonstration, Pradhan said.
The Mahanadi river flows through Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jharkhand.
2010-07-16 19:50:00
More then two thousands residents, and social and political activists Friday staged a protest in Orissa's Cuttack city against the use of water from Mahanadi river by industries.
Accusing the state government of providing water meant for drinking and irrigation to various industries, the demonstrators also threatened to launch a massive agitation if the government does not cancel its plan.
'The government cannot give water to industries when there is already a scarcity,' Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Dharmendra Pradhan, who was among the protesters, told IANS.
'Adequate water is not available for drinking and irrigation purpose. Residents of Cuttack city depend on Mahanadi river water and they are already facing water problems. The government has not made any capacity enhancement of the river water resources,' he said.
More then 400 activists also carried out a motorcycle rally in the city, 26 km from Bhubaneswar, before gathering at city's Jobra area near the Mahanadi river bank where a protest meeting was held under the banner of 'Mahanadi Bancho Committee'.
Leaders of several other political parties, eminent citizens, women leaders and social activists also participated in the demonstration, Pradhan said.
The Mahanadi river flows through Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jharkhand.
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