Bhubaneswar: Odisha govt has issued a show-cause notice to Baitarani Power Projects Pvt Ltd (BPPL), a hydropower generating company, over the alleged irregular operation of barrage gates during the recent floods in the Baitarani river. Authorities said unregulated release of water worsened flooding in downstream areas. BPPL has been asked to explain its actions, failing which strict action may be taken.Special relief commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil on Thursday said a show-cause notice had been issued to the company. “After getting their report, we can know the reason why they released water from the barrage in Keonjhar district,” he said. He said the govt had taken a serious view of the matter. “If needed, action will be taken against the company,” he added.Patil said the company released water from the barrage without informing the authorities, creating danger in the river basin. “Coordination should be there to control floods,” he said. Engineer-in-chief of the water resources department Dillip Kumar Rout has also asked field officials in Keonjhar district to look into the matter.Flooding in the Baitarani river inundated several parts of Jajpur and Bhadrak districts. Kendrapada district was also affected by the flood in the river system. Breaches in river embankments were reported at several places in Jajpur and Bhadrak districts, while branch rivers of the Baitarani also caused damage in the affected areas.In a related development, a review meeting of senior officials of the water resources department was held in the department’s conference hall here on Thursday. Instructions were issued to controlling officers to expedite ongoing works, projects for which the tendering process has been completed, and proposed works, including capital expenditure, major irrigation, drainage, dams, barrages and canal projects. Officials were also asked to regularly monitor expenditure.Emphasis was laid on finalising tenders and issuing work orders quickly, expediting pending approvals and EFC proposals, preparing realistic expenditure estimates and ensuring efficient use of the budget within the financial year. Priority will be given to the timely completion of ongoing projects, creation of irrigation potential, strengthening water resources infrastructure and ensuring that the intended benefits of projects reach the people.
