The Chandil dam in Seraikela-Kharsawan

Jamshedpur, June 15: Ever since authorities announced that the radial gates of Chandil dam would be closed from June 30, submerging about 50 villages in the process, panic-stricken residents of Chandil and Ichagarh block in Seraikela-Kharsawan district have been mobilising support to thwart the move.

Aided by local NGOs, the villagers have declared that until state made arrangements to resettle them, they would not leave their homes.

The authorities of Subarnarekha Multipurpose Project (SMP) have decided that this monsoon, they would close the radial gates of Chandil dam so that adequate water can be stored in the dam, which was originally set up to facilitate irrigation and feed a hydel power project.

Last week, principal secretaries of the department of water resources, Jharkhand and Orissa, had inspected the dam and decided they would allow water to be stored to a height of five metres above the spillway level by closing the radial gates from June 30.

Radial gates of Chandil dam, built in 1980, have never been closed as it would have meant submerging as many as 50 villages which fall under the project’s command area.

Though the SMP authorities have set up 22 rehabilitation centres across Seraikela-Kharsawan district, all except four, are lying unoccupied as the majority of displaced villagers have refused to leave their homes which have already been acquired by the state.

“During the monsoon, the dam water overflows through the spillway, flooding a few villages. But in case the SMP authorities go ahead with their plan to close the radial gates and let water be stored at a level of five metres, then as many as 50 villages will be submerged. We are told the dam authorities will serve us notice to vacate our homes, but we will not move unless we are properly rehabilitated,” said Shatrughna Mahto, a resident of Nuagaon village.

“How can the dam authorities evacuate us without making alternative arrangements for our accommodation and our livelihood?” asked Mahto. He termed the government decision a great injustice towards 5,000 families.

Deputy commissioner of Seraikela-Kharsawan Gauri Prasad Sinha said 85 per cent of the rehabilitation package had already been disbursed and the displaced would be given the remaining only when they moved to the rehabilitation centres.

“The SMP authorities have decided to close the radial gates to set up a hydel project and also meet the need of water for irrigation and industrial use,” he explained.