Neradi verdict raises concerns over displacement
Berhampur: Thedecades-old contention surrounding the Neradi barrage across the Vamsadhara river has once again surged to the forefront, casting a shadow of anxiety over the riverside habitations of Gajapati district. A recent tribunal ruling in favour of Andhra Pradesh has reignited fears, particularly in Kashinagar block, where many families now find themselves confronting the spectre of displacement and an uncertain future.
For generations, the Vamsadhara has been the lifeline of these communities, nourishing fields, sustaining livelihoods, and anchoring cultural traditions. Today, however, its flowing waters bring with them a tide of unease. As the barrage project edges closer to execution, villagers are left wrestling with unanswered questions regarding compensation, rehabilitation, and the fate of their ancestral lands.
Amid this growing disquiet, the silence of the Odisha government has become increasingly conspicuous, intensifying public apprehension. If implemented, the project is likely to submerge nearly 106 acres across Gajapati and Rayagada districts, potentially disrupting the river’s natural flow and raising concerns over water scarcity in downstream regions.
Dormant for nearly three decades, the issue has been rekindled in public discourse following a viral communication from a neighbouring State’s MP. Earlier assessments had already flagged the vulnerability of several villages in Kashinagar block, including Palsing, Sara, Badigaon, Khandba, Kitingi, Bothba, Budura, and Indudi, now facing the looming threat of complete displacement.According to the tribunal’s directive, a total 115 tmc of Vamsadhara waters willbe shared equally between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, with provisions for irrigation through subsidiary canals. While the verdict seeks a balanced allocation, its implications on the ground have unsettled thousands whose lives remain deeply intertwined with the river.
Adding to the chorus of dissent, Paralakhemundi MLA Rupesh Panigrahi has strongly opposed the decision, describing it as inequitable and warning of potential setbacks to existing irrigation infrastructure in the region. Demands for immediate governmental intervention and comprehensive field assessment are gaining momentum, with growing appeals directed at Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to address the mounting concerns without delay.
As the river continues its journey, it carries with it a question that lingers in the hearts of many: Can the march of development truly justify the cost of displacement, or will the echoes of forgotten homes forever haunt its waters?
