Tension in Orissa villages over construction of road by Chhatisgarh

Sambalpur, May 12 (UNI) Tension prevailed at four villages in Ambabhona block over "illegal" construction of a road by neighbouring Chhatisgarh government in presence of police force.

The villagers of Sareiplai, Bhainatora, Barangakote and Beniapali claimed the construction would bound to submerge vast patch of their land and villages in the monsoon months.

They alleged the Chhatisgarh government was erecting illegal construction by encroaching even some portion of Hirakud dam area.

The Chhatisgarh government recently conducted a Bhoomipooja of a dam and road in Kenkaradi Nala in presence of armed police.

The authorities of Hirakud dam project have also raised objection against the construction and maintained that such construction would lead heavy siltation into the dam.

The Chief Engineer of Hirakud Dam has written a letter drawing the attention of the Bargarh collector and urged him to stop the work forthwith.

Sources said the Baragarh District collector has directed the sub-collector and the executive engineer of rural works department to inquire into the matter and submit a report.

In the past also the Chhatishgarh government had made similar attempt to construct road inside Orissa area but a timely action of the then administration forced them to stop the construction activities.

UNI