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Stone laid for barrage

BERHAMPUR: With the laying of the foundation stone for a barrage on Mahendratanaya river at Dambapur in Gajapati district on Wednesday Chief Minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik aimed at building up base of the BJD in Gajapati district for the coming elections.

This project worth Rs. 38 crores on the upstream of the river comprising two barrages is a move of the Orissa Government against the proposed off-shore project of the Andhra Pradesh Government in Srikakulam district downstream. One of the two barrages would come up near Dambapur village, and the other at Champapur village, nearly 40 km from the Andhra Pradesh border. The project is expected to irrigate 3,050 hectares of land besides providing water to Paralakhemundi, the district headquarter town of Gajapati district.

Mr Patnaik and Energy Minister Surya Narayan Patro were in campaign mood at the foundation stone laying ceremony at Dambapur. The BJP MLA of Ramgiri, Bharat Paika was also present in the function. Although all political parties in Ganjam district had joined hands to protest against the Andhra project on Mahendratanaya river which would have affected irrigation and drinking water supply in the district, no Congress leader including the Paralakhemundi MLA, Trinath Sahu were seen in this function.

Mr Patnaik in his speech elaborated the developmental projects being taken up by his Government especially for the tribals and women. In subtle manner he tried to explain the crowd that the project for which foundation stone was laid was part of the concern that his Government had for people of Gajapati district.

As per political analysts with these barrages he was also laying foundation stone for BJD candidature for the Paralakhemundi Assembly seat in the coming polls. After delimitation, Gajapati district would have two Assembly constituencies -- Mohana and Paralakhmeundi. If the alliance with BJP continues, then Mohana constituency which would have major portion of present Ramgiri constituency would be handed over to the BJP as it has sitting MLA. The BJD is eyeing the Paralakhemundi Assembly seat. At the Dambapur function the party was seen to be projecting Narayan Rao.

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