OPCC opposes Chhattisgarh govt's construction of barrage over

Odisha Congress today opposed the construction of a barrage by Chhattisgarh government over river Tel, a major tributary of river Mahanadi.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik claimed that the Chhattisgarh government has now started construction of barrage over river Tel after constructing barrages over Mahanadi river.

"Construction of a barrage over river Tel will affect thousands of people living in Nawarangpur, Kalahandi, Bolangir and Subarnpur districts of Odisha," Niranjan Patnaik said in a statement.

The barrage is situated on the confluence of river Tel and Barahi, barely 500 meters away from Khaparadihi village in Chandahandi block of Nawarangpur village, Patnaik said.

He claimed that Rs 18 crore has been sanctioned in first phase and one private construction company has been assigned for the work. "There will be no spill way or canal system in this project," he said.

The Congress leader said Tel river issue should be put before the Mahanadi Tribunal for settlement. He also demanded that the Chhattisgarh government must stop monopoly on Mahanadi river systems.

He said Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik must act accordingly and raise this issue in proper forum to protect interest of the state.