Odisha CM seeks Jharkhand counterpart’s cooperation for Ichha Dam

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has sought cooperation from his Jharkhand counterpart Hemant Soren for early completion of Ichha Dam project and flood moderation in Chandil Dam of Subarnarekha Multi-purpose project.

In a letter, Patnaik urged Soren to ensure storage of water up to FRL (full reservoir level) in Chandil Dam in the monsoon season for mitigation of flood in Odisha.

Patnaik said Subarnarekha irrigation project of Odisha will be able to utilise its full irrigation potential only after completion of Ichha dam by the Jharkhand government.

“I am happy to know that the government of Jharkhand has taken up Ichha dam construction work recently. Odisha government will extend all cooperation for Ichha dam construction and reimburse Odisha’s share of the cost of the dam in time,” said the Chief Minister.

A sum of Rs 1026.91 crore has so far been paid to the Jharkhand government for the above works against the estimated share of Rs 1208 crore of Odisha, he added.

Patnaik has further pointed out that while Chandil Dam across river Subarnarekha has been completed since long but water has been stored up to reservoir level (RL) 181.50 m during monsoon against full reservoir level (FRL) of 192 m due to resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) issues.

As full storage capacity has not been utilised in the dam during monsoon season, Odisha is facing flood havoc more often, he added.