Massive Water Resolution Rally Held in the Basin of Vansadhara River, Highlighting Irrigation and Drinking Water Issues

Gunupur, April 15:  A unique “Water Resolution Rally” was organized across villages in Gajapati district by riverbank communities, demanding the construction of an anicut at the upper reach of the Vansadhara River.
Under the leadership of Akshaya Das, Executive President of the Vansadhara Basin Protection Committee, several prominent members including Panchayat Samiti member Jagannath Dora, committee members Braja Nayak, Bhubaneswar Nayak, Dibakar Patra, BJP national member Y. Ganapati, Gunupur Municipality Vice-Chairman Shiv Prasad Gouda, Gunupur Bar Association President Ramesh Lima, District BJD Vice-President S. Baba Prasad, youth BJD leaders Ram Panda, S. Shivaji, Rajesh Padhi, Kiran Panigrahi, Shiva Dakua, K. Ravikumar, journalist Someswar Rao and others participated in the rally.
Hundreds of water conservation activists and local residents from Sara, Badgaon, Gadiakhala, and Gunupur joined the कार्यक्रम. During the rally, participants held the sacred water of the Vansadhara River in their hands and took a pledge to protect the river basin and free its waters from alleged covert exploitation by Andhra Pradesh.
They also demanded that the Odisha government take appropriate steps to construct an anicut at the upper reach of the river to conserve 50% of Odisha’s share of water. The participants agreed to continue similar awareness and protest measures until their demands are fulfilled.
It was highlighted that the previous government had announced the construction of an initial barrage at the upper reach of the Vansadhara River with an estimated cost of around ₹1100 crore, but the proposal has since remained shelved.
Following the verdict of the Vansadhara Tribunal on water sharing, people living along the riverbanks in Odisha are reportedly in a state of concern. There are fears that the region may face flooding during the rainy season and water scarcity in summer due to alleged diversion of water by Andhra Pradesh.
The committee has also expressed surprise over the silence of the Odisha government on this critical issue.