Cuttack, Sep 10: The Orissa High Court has directed the Odisha Government to constitute a technical committee and take steps to resolve the issue of decline in water-flow in the Brahmani River due to construction of barrages in upper catchment area by Jharkand.
The High Court gave this direction while conducting a final hearing on a petition filed by Alekha Nayak. The High Court has directed the Government to inform the petition about the decision taken by it in eight weeks’ time.
In his petition, Nayak alleged that water-flow has decreased in the Brahmani River due to construction of barrages in the upper catchment area of the river by Jharkhand. People of six districts are suffering due to the dearth of water in the river.
Nayay expressed anguish stating that while the Prime Minister and the Central Water Commission replied to his queries on the issue, he could not know the State Government’s stand yet.
“Jharkhand has not constructed barraged in just one or two years. It has undertaken construction works for over the last 10 years. What was the Odisha Government doint,” he wanted to know.
He further expressed unhappiness saying that Water Resources Department has remained silent of the matter while a major chunk of the State Budget is spent by it for protection and proper management of water resources.
According to information, Brahmani has begun flowing from Ranchi Nagari village where it is known as South Koel River. Its main branch rivers are Shankha, Tikra and Karo. In Odisha, the river is known as Brahmani. The Kharashrota River has also come out of this source.
