Khariar ponds to be renovated, linked with irrigation pipelines Monday, 09 March 2020 | AJIT PANDA | NUAPADA

 Khariar town in Nuapada district has several traditional water bodies (TWBs) known as Bandha and Muda. Most of these TWBs,  although in a dilapidated state, are still useful for different purposes for local people and for geoenviromental reasons.

“Most of the Bandhas in Khariar town are hundreds of year old. From archeological records, it is found that one of the Bandhas named Tira Bandha was excavated during 13th century AD. Likewise, the Gudelbandha, Nilji Bandha, Bishi Bandha, Mara Bandh, Kamla Sagar, Mukta Sagar, Khangal Munda and Hiramunda are centuries old water bodies excavated by the erstwhile kings, but unfortunately they are in a bad shape after being taken over by the Government due to lack of maintenance and renovation,” says archeologist Jitamitra Prashad Singh Deo.

“The water bodies served all types of water requirements of the people in the past. At the same time, they were instrumental in recharging ground water,” he adds.

It is true that all the water bodies located within Khariar NAC area are totally neglected. Khariar Minor Irrigation Division had submitted a DPR to the Water Resource Department about four years ago for repair, renovation and restoration (under RRR scheme) of some of the traditional water bodies inside the NAC. But the proposal got stuck and no fund was allotted.

The Khariar NAC, subsequently in 2018 October submitted proposals (DPR) for renovation of four of the old traditional structures of Khariar town with an estimated cost of Rs 713.66 lakh to the Housing and Urban Development Department. The DPRs got approved by the Government under Odisha Urban Infrastructure Development Project (OUIDP). However, the department put a condition that the NAC would have to contribute 10 percent of the project cost, which amounted to approximately Rs 80 lakh in total for four projects.

The NAC was given the go- ahead signal for reclamation of Hiramunda in the first phase and the amount sanctioned for the project was Rs 295.25 lakh. However, as the NAC was not in a condition to spend the contribution amount of Rs 29.5 lakh, the work could not be initiated.  “We had to remain silent, because it was not possible for us to meet the condition,” said former executive officer of Khariar NAC Kishor Kumar Sahu.

The District Press Club of Nuapada with an objective to make the project effective held a meeting with MLA of Khariar, Adhiraj Mohan Panigrahi on Thursday last and raised the issue of contribution. Panigrahi, after a detailed discussion on the matter agreed to provide fund from MLA LAD to meet the contribution amount.

“I am always ready to extend support to such innovative projects; however such suggestions should come to my knowledge,” said Panigrahi.

The Press Club also drew the attention of the MLA towards problem of water depletion in the traditional water bodies and suggested for linking of the irrigation pipe lines with the water bodies as well as pisciculture tanks (24 in numbers spread over an area 25 acres of land) of Fisheries Department in Khariar. The MLA immediately invited the Executive Engineer (EE) of Lower Indra Irrigation Project (LIIP) and the possibility of linking the irrigation pipes with the tank was discussed. The EE agreed to conduct a feasibility study within a few days and proceed accordingly. He also informed that the department has taken note of the proposal of MLA Panigrahi for cement concrete lining of canals using paver machine.

“It has been assured by the higher authorities to pave all the canals with concrete lining after certification of 20,000 hectares in coming Kharif season. Once it is paved with concrete lining, the water loss will be nil,” said the EE. The MLA has agreed to sit frequently with Press Club to get feedback and suggestions for the development of the area.