Uma Bharti urged to ensure free flow of water in Mahanadi

Bhubaneswar: Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday requested Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti to advise the Chhattisgarh government for immediate opening of the gates of Kalma barrage to ensure free flow of water in Mahanadi river.

“It is stated that non-monsoon flow into Hirakud Reservoir received from the upper catchment of Mahanadi basin is showing a significant downward trend. The percentage reduction has alarmingly gone up to 78% in the month of May, 2017,” Pradhan said in a letter to Bharti.

He said this stop of flow has caused severe anguish situation in the downstream areas, thus affecting the district water needs in peak summer month.

“This is contrary to the interest of the people of Odisha. Further, it is apprehended that if this trend is allowed to continue, there will be near stoppage of flow of water into the Hirakud Reservoir and in all likelihood will cause great loss to the Reservoir and the downward catchment area of Odisha,” he pointed out.