Bhubaneswar, Sep 18: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sundayalleged that the Centre did not insist on the Chhattisgarh Government to halt
barrage work on the Mahanadi.
“The Chhattisgarh Government refused to stop construction
works on the Mahanadi at the tripartite meeting in Delhi. I insisted that the
construction work on the Mahanadi, including the barrages should stop
immediately till the expert committee can look into the whole matter. Unfortunately
the Centre also did not either insist on Chhattisgarh to halt the works,” said
Patnaik here on his return from New Delhi.
works on the Mahanadi at the tripartite meeting in Delhi. I insisted that the
construction work on the Mahanadi, including the barrages should stop
immediately till the expert committee can look into the whole matter. Unfortunately
the Centre also did not either insist on Chhattisgarh to halt the works,” said
Patnaik here on his return from New Delhi.
He further explained that the river Mahanadi is the lifeline
of Odisha.
of Odisha.
“It serves 65% of our population in way of drinking water,
irrigation, power generation, fisheries, etc. Also, if the construction works
are carried on in Chhattisgarh, it will damage the delicate environmental
balance in such sanctuaries as Satkosia, Bhitarkanika and the Chilika lake,” he
said.
irrigation, power generation, fisheries, etc. Also, if the construction works
are carried on in Chhattisgarh, it will damage the delicate environmental
balance in such sanctuaries as Satkosia, Bhitarkanika and the Chilika lake,” he
said.