BJD Holds Demo Over Mahanadi Water Issue

Kendrapada: Protesting against the unilateral construction of barrages on Mahanadi river by Chhattisgarh government, the Kendrapada district unit of BJD on Friday held a demonstration at the district headquarters here.

Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and Bed Prakash Agrawalla participated in the demonstration.

The BJD leaders alleged that the neighboring state constructed projects without consulting Odisha even though Mahanadi is a co-basin river.

“The Chhattisgarh government is deliberately planning to check the inflow of Mahanadi water to Odisha. We demand that the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Central Government must intervene and stop the construction work immediately,” said Kishore Tarei, the MLA of Kendrapada.

Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak alleged that the Chhattisgarh government had taken unilateral decisions to build barrages on the Mahanadi, which is considered a lifeline for the people of Odisha.

Bed Prakash Agrawalla criticized opposition Congress and BJP for not safeguarding the interest of the state during their rule at the Centre.

He said the agitation would continue until the Chhattisgarh government stop the projects.

The BJD activists also handed over a memorandum to district collector Debaraj Senapati.