The Odisha High Court has formed a five member expert committee to study and report within three weeks as to whether permanent construction on Mahanadi islet at Hadia Patha would pose any threat to Cuttack city from floods.

The committee has also been asked to find out whether the intake well constructed at the site for supply of water to IOC’s proposed oil refinery in Paradip will affect the availability of surface water, ground water and drinking water for the city.

The committee would also study whether the diversion of river water for IOC would affect the irrigation of agricultural land depending upon Taladanda canal which originates at Jobra, a few metres downstream of Hadia Patha.

A Division Bench of Justice Mr BP Das and Justice Mr MM Das constituted the committee by appointing former chief engineer of irrigation department Mr SM Patnaik as its chairman.

Asking the committee to submit its report within three weeks, the High Court has asked the panel to consult the State Government, the petitioner Nationalist Lawyers’ Forum and IOC before preparing its report. They would also suggest ways as to how IOC would get the required amount of water for its proposed oil refinery.

(Sourced from ZEE News)