12 hours ago
86 Kolhan villages oppose Icha-Kharkai reservoir project
Jamshedpur: The residents of the 86 villages that lie in the vicinity of the Icha-Kharkai dam project area adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum have launched a fresh agitation against the state govt.
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The Jharkhand Tribes Advisory Council (TAC) had on May 21 gave its nod to the project with amendments to the earlier design.
"The TAC has passed a resolution and has proclaimed that the height of the dam will be reduced which would necessitate resettlement and rehabilitation of the people of only 18 villages which is totally wrong," saidIcha-Kharkai Bandh Virodhi Sangh (IKBS) president, Vir Singh Biruli. Citing that 1.5 lakh people will be affected by the construction of the dam, the outfit has staged protests in the 10 villages in the Rajnagar and Tantnagar blocks May 28-June 8.
The 213-meter height Icha dam is part of the Subernarekha Multipurpose Project (SMP), and it is one of the four components of the SMP having a total budget of Rs 6,600 crore. The other three components are Chandil dam, Kharkhai barrage and Galudih barrage. The construction of the Chandil dam and Galudih barrage is complete, the Kharkhai barrage is nearing completion.
"CM Hemant Soren has gone back on his promise which he made to the villagers at Sosohatu village in West Singhbhum in 2019," said IKBVS vice president Reyansh Samad.
He said Soren had promised that he would never let the construction of the dam, however under pressure from the private corporate houses the CM got the TAC adopt the resolution favouring dam construction.
