WAIT OF HALF A CENTURY ENDS: MEGA PROJECTS TO BOOST VAST IRRIGATION IN RAYAGADA
Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta
Associate editor
Rayagada, July 25: A tender has been floated by the Additional Chief Engineer, Southern Investigation Circle, Berhampur, Odisha for Lower Vamsadhara Stage-1 Project initially envisaged construction of a 3200 m long earthen dam across Sananadi River near village Khaira in Rayagada District, Left Main Canal (LMC) of 74.245 km long off taking from the proposed earthen dam to provide annual irrigation to an area of 19702 Ha (CCA: 12237 Ha and intensity of irrigation of 161%), a 1850 m long Barrage across the river Vansadhara near village Panidanagar and Right Main Canal (RMC) having a length of 47.675 km off taking from the proposed barrage to provide annual irrigation of 10111 Ha (CCA: 6289 Ha and irrigation intensity of 161%).
The Feasibility Report of Lower Vansadhara Project was circulated for examination in April 2012.
The Detailed Project Report(DPR) was circulated to appraise the inter-state issues pertaining to the project. Central Water Commission(CWC) has not cleared the project from hydrological point of view with a suggestion to carry out analysis as per approach mentioned. Further, with respect to the inter-state matters, CWC noted that the project(s) cannot be considered from Inter-State angle keeping in view of the Vamsadhra Water Dispute Tribunal (VWDT) constituted by Ministry of Water Resources(MoWR) in 2010 on the request of Govt of Odisha. CWC also quoted that MoWR issued Guidelines in January 2006 for giving techno-economic clearance to Projects in a basin where an Inter-State Water Dispute Tribunal has been constituted to examine inter-state allocation of water and related issues in a basin. Government of Andhra Pradesh vide its letter dated 23.10.2013 has requested not to sanction any project on Vamsadhara River and its river valley thereof as the matter is subjudice.
Further, the final order and the decision of the VWDT was released on 17/09/2017. Consequently, the state govt of Odisha has re-submitted the revised/updated DPR to CWC in May, 2018 for appraisal. The present proposal comprising of a Barrage at Panidanagar and a dam at Sananadi provide irrigation facilities to an area of 9204 and 12946 Ha respectively in the Raygada and Gajapati District of Odisha. The DPR has been circulated to the various specialised Directorates of CWC as well as the other concerned central agencies.
The present works include Forest Diversion Proposal & Obtaining Stage-I & Stage-II clearance from MoEF & CC, GoI for forest land proposed for Diverson for Lower Vansadhara (Stage-I) Irrigation Projectin Rayagada District of Odisha with an estimated cost amounting Rs. 2,18,54,500/- & Forest Diversion Proposal & Obtaining Stage-I & Stage-II clearance from MoEF & CC, GoI for forest land proposed for Diverson for Upper Vansadhara Irrigation Project in Rayagada District of Odisha with an estimated costof Rs. 3,01,06,286/- Total Forest Area required for diversion for reservoir and LMC & RMC Canal (Minor Subminor & Distributary is 651.138 Ha. Length of Main Canal is 90.85 KM including RMC for barrage – (36.450)km LMC for dam -(54.400) km. Technical support is required by DoWR for preparation & filing of forest diversion proposal under the Forest Conservation Act. 1980 for the purpose of obtaining forest clearances from MoEF&CC, Govt. of India.
The complete Process of Gram Sabhas for the purpose shall be facilitated with necessary logics support. The user agency (DoWR) shall remain present and explain the project perspectives in the Gram Sabha and abide by the resolutions made in such Gram Sabhas.
The deliverables are DGPS survey and ORSAC certification of geo-referenced forest land boundary proposed for diversion including certification and authentication of forest land schedule by concerned Tahsildar and Divisional Forest Officer, Demarcation and DGPS survey of CAF land patches as certified by concerned Tahsildar and DFO and ORSAC certification of geo-referenced CAF land parcels, all other documentation, e-filing of FDP, its scrutiny at Project Screening Committee (PSC) and forwarding to concern DFO, for field verification, tree enumeration, NPV computation, CAF scheme formulation and its authentication by DFO, completion of field verification and authentication of FDP by DFO, Procurement of NOC under FRA certificate form Collector along with the consent resolution of Gram Sabha andrecommendation of FDP including all supporting plan proposals by DFO to PCCF(completion of Part-II by DFO online), site inspection, scrutiny of FDP, technical compliance, recommendation of FDP and supporting plan proposal by PCCF (Nodal Officer, Forest Conservation Act) scrutiny and recommendation of FDP by Forest Environment & Climate Change, Govt. of Odisha to MoEF& CC, Govt. of India, presentation to MoEF& CC including coordination for technical compliances for obtaining In- Principle (Stage-I) Forest Clearance and on obtaining final (Stage-II) Forest Clearance. Whole process will take at least 28 months
According to farmer entrepreneur Rajiv Sahu, who is also an engineer, “ It is a highly encouraging and welcome initiative by the Government of Odisha ! The decision to invite tenders for consultancy services for obtaining Environmental Clearance (EC) and Forest Land Diversion (FCA) Clearance for the long-pending Lower Vamsadhara Stage-I Project marks a significant step towards turning this long-cherished dream into reality. Once completed, it will significantly enhance irrigation potential, boost agricultural productivity, promote crop diversification, improve farmers’ incomes, generate rural employment, strengthen water security, and accelerate the socio-economic development of the region. This milestone is the outcome of sustained and collective efforts over the years. Credit is due to the Government of Odisha for taking this decisive initiative and carrying the project forward. At the same time, the persistent efforts of our elected representatives, raising the issue in the Odisha Legislative Assembly and the Parliament, pursuing it with the concerned Ministries and bringing the aspirations of the people to the notice of the Government, deserve appreciation. Equal credit goes to civil society organisations, farmers’ associations, people’s representatives at the grassroots, and countless citizens who relentlessly organised meetings, awareness campaigns, agitations, signature drives and submitted representations at different administrative and political levels to keep this vital project alive in public discourse. We sincerely congratulate everyone who has contributed, directly or indirectly, to reaching this important stage. Let us hope that all statutory clearances and approvals are obtained expeditiously so that construction can commence without further delay.
The people of Gunupur sub-division have waited for decades, and the successful implementation of the Lower Vamsadhara Stage-I Project will be a transformative milestone for the region and a lasting legacy for future generations.”
