ROURKELA: The Rukura dam project in the Bonai sub-division has faced another roadblock. Construction works have been suspended since November 5 with the affected families lodging protests for not getting the Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) package. The much-needed medium irrigation project is several years behind schedule. Administrative sources said the ongoing construction works were stopped due to pre-occupation of the Bonai sub-collector who was entrusted with the land acquisition and compensation settlement processes. To tide over the problem, district Land Acquisition Officer Bhagwan Sahu was assigned the charge afresh on November 22. Sources said the dam when completed would irrigate 5,463 hectares (ha) during kharif season and 2,185 ha in rabi spread over 74 villages across Gurundia and Bonai blocks. The reservoir earmarked at Musapali village of Gurundia block would require 648 ha and the canal system would need another 1,008 ha. Birmitrapur MLA and tribal leader George Tirkey recently raised questions over the land acquisition process. He dismissed the administrative survey to claim 1,230 families of Musaplai, Bandhabhui, Kantabahal and Kutridhuan are eligible for both compensation and rehabilitation as the R&R Policy of 2006 was not thoroughly followed in letter and spirit. However, project Executive Officer Sunil Naik said there was no fault in identifying the affected families and compensation was worked out as per eligibility and the latest R&R policy.
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