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.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
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.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
NHPC-OHPC JV to implement three hydel projects of 300 Mw
BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar June 24, 2010, 0:49 IST
The Orissa Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) and the National Hydel Power Corporation (NHPC), which had forged a joint venture for taking up 12 hydel power projects in the state, will undertake three hydel projects with a cumulative capacity of 300 MW in the first phase.
All the three hydel power projects will come up on Mahanadi river and they included Sindol-I with a capacity of 90 MW at Deogaon; 90 MW Sindol-II at Kapasira in Sonepur district and the 120 MW Sindol-III at Godhaneswar, aslo in Sonepur district.
The sites for the hydel projects have been identified by an inter-departmental technical coordination committee consisting of the members of energy and water resources department, said state energy minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak.
Sources said, the draft joint venture proposal sent by NHPC to the Orissa government has been approved and the power company is set to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government soon.
Initially, 12 hydel projects were identified for development on the joint venture mode. However, the number can increase or decrease after close examination during the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
The identified locations are middle Kolab, Tel integrated project, lower Bansadhara, Balijori Hydel Project, Salki Hydel Project, Khadago Dam Project, Uttei Roul Integrated Project, Mahanadi-Brahmani River Link, Baramul Hydel Project, Sindol-I, Sindol-II and Sindol-III projects
The proposed joint venture company will have 30:70 equity and debt component with NHPC holding 51 per cent equity and OHPC the remaining 49 per cent. The state government had sought 100 per cent power from these hydel projects but the final decision in this regard will be taken by the Union ministry of power.
BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar June 24, 2010, 0:49 IST
The Orissa Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) and the National Hydel Power Corporation (NHPC), which had forged a joint venture for taking up 12 hydel power projects in the state, will undertake three hydel projects with a cumulative capacity of 300 MW in the first phase.
All the three hydel power projects will come up on Mahanadi river and they included Sindol-I with a capacity of 90 MW at Deogaon; 90 MW Sindol-II at Kapasira in Sonepur district and the 120 MW Sindol-III at Godhaneswar, aslo in Sonepur district.
The sites for the hydel projects have been identified by an inter-departmental technical coordination committee consisting of the members of energy and water resources department, said state energy minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak.
Sources said, the draft joint venture proposal sent by NHPC to the Orissa government has been approved and the power company is set to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government soon.
Initially, 12 hydel projects were identified for development on the joint venture mode. However, the number can increase or decrease after close examination during the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
The identified locations are middle Kolab, Tel integrated project, lower Bansadhara, Balijori Hydel Project, Salki Hydel Project, Khadago Dam Project, Uttei Roul Integrated Project, Mahanadi-Brahmani River Link, Baramul Hydel Project, Sindol-I, Sindol-II and Sindol-III projects
The proposed joint venture company will have 30:70 equity and debt component with NHPC holding 51 per cent equity and OHPC the remaining 49 per cent. The state government had sought 100 per cent power from these hydel projects but the final decision in this regard will be taken by the Union ministry of power.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Do we need 'Corporate help' in Creation of water bodies and building of check dams, when huge amount of funds are available/allocated under MGNREGS, Watershed Development etc. and also most of these remaining unspent? Corporate's involvement is not questionable, but whether it should be in form of Govt 'seeking help', or Corporate showing its 'philanthropy' (in line with history of pond/WHS digging by rich/elites)or as a Corporate's 'strategy' or should form a part of 'Corporate's Responsibility', is what requires to be debated. This also need to be considered together with the type and amount of water-extraction/use and water-disposal/pollution by the corporates.
Nevertheless it is good that Govt's engagement with corporate over water has started touching many dimensions - be in preventing corporate to draw water from rivers Or initiative towards rationalization of water allocation to industry Or asking corporate to augment water-resources etc. as reflected in the water-news over last few days!
Orissa to seek corporate help to solve water crisis
STAFF WRITER 12:26 HRS IST
Berhampur (Orissa), May 4 (PTI) Faced with drinking water crisis in several urban areas, Orissa government is now planning to seek help from public sector and private corporate houses to mitigate the problem.
"We need assistance from major corporate houses to tackle the drinking water crisis in major urban areas in the state," Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Badrinarayan Patra said here.
Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) has agreed in principle to fund around Rs 40 crore for creating a water body to solve the crisis in western Orissa towns - Brajaraj Nagar, Jharsuguda and Belphar. While the MCL set up a water body, the government will fund the laying of pipeline for water distribution, the minister said.
"We have discussed with the authorities of Rourkela Steel Plant for construction of a check dam on the nearby river, which will help tackle the drinking water crisis in Rourkela," he said.
Nevertheless it is good that Govt's engagement with corporate over water has started touching many dimensions - be in preventing corporate to draw water from rivers Or initiative towards rationalization of water allocation to industry Or asking corporate to augment water-resources etc. as reflected in the water-news over last few days!
Orissa to seek corporate help to solve water crisis
STAFF WRITER 12:26 HRS IST
Berhampur (Orissa), May 4 (PTI) Faced with drinking water crisis in several urban areas, Orissa government is now planning to seek help from public sector and private corporate houses to mitigate the problem.
"We need assistance from major corporate houses to tackle the drinking water crisis in major urban areas in the state," Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Badrinarayan Patra said here.
Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) has agreed in principle to fund around Rs 40 crore for creating a water body to solve the crisis in western Orissa towns - Brajaraj Nagar, Jharsuguda and Belphar. While the MCL set up a water body, the government will fund the laying of pipeline for water distribution, the minister said.
"We have discussed with the authorities of Rourkela Steel Plant for construction of a check dam on the nearby river, which will help tackle the drinking water crisis in Rourkela," he said.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Towrads River Cleansing!
It seems of late, Rivers in Odisha are getting attention!There was also another news in The New Indian Express regarding a District Collector's notice to Industries to not to draw water from rivers this summer. He has constituted a committee headed by a DSP to monitor this order! While these are welcome initiative, we fail to comprehend, why they always come as 'reactions'!
Nine Projects of pollution Abatement Sanctioned for Cleaning Brahmani River
Monday, May 03, 2010
Ministry of Environment and Forests
Six projects of pollution abatement have been completed under river cleaning project for river Brahmani in Orissa. Nine projects were sanctioned for the towns Talcher and Dharamshala for an amount of Rs. 389.83 lakhs. The remaining three projects are scheduled for completion by March, 2011. In addition, Government has provided financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 49.0 lakhs to Orissa for preparing pollution abatement proposals in respect of Dhenkanal and Rourkella towns for conservation of Brahmani. The assistance has been approved under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by Shri Mangala Kisan in Rajya Sabha today.
Nine Projects of pollution Abatement Sanctioned for Cleaning Brahmani River
Monday, May 03, 2010
Ministry of Environment and Forests
Six projects of pollution abatement have been completed under river cleaning project for river Brahmani in Orissa. Nine projects were sanctioned for the towns Talcher and Dharamshala for an amount of Rs. 389.83 lakhs. The remaining three projects are scheduled for completion by March, 2011. In addition, Government has provided financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 49.0 lakhs to Orissa for preparing pollution abatement proposals in respect of Dhenkanal and Rourkella towns for conservation of Brahmani. The assistance has been approved under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by Shri Mangala Kisan in Rajya Sabha today.
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