Public resentment has escalated in Jharsuguda district following allegations that SMC Power Generation Ltd is drawing water from the Bheden and Ib rivers during the non-monsoon period, leading to severe shortages in surrounding villages.
Hundreds of women from the gram panchayats of Badmal, Hirma, Jamera, and Marakuta staged a sit-in protest on Monday in front of SMC’s Unit 1 at Hirma and Unit 2 at Badmal, denouncing what they termed unauthorized water extraction.
Residents reported that water levels in the Bheden and Ib rivers significantly decrease during summer, leaving limited resources for essential daily activities such as bathing, sanitation, and livestock care. They claimed that the company’s ongoing water extraction has intensified the crisis, resulting in a critical shortage of drinking water in the area.
“Humans, cattle, and even birds are struggling for water. Life has become extremely difficult for people dependent on the rivers,” remarked a local resident.
Official records indicate that the state water resources department had issued a directive (No. 13440) on July 7, 2020, prohibiting the company from drawing water from the rivers during the non-monsoon period and advising it to focus on water conservation within its premises. However, locals allege that these guidelines have been blatantly disregarded.
Villagers mentioned that they submitted a memorandum to the Jharsuguda district administration nearly two months ago, but no effective action was taken, prompting the protest. The demonstrators expressed frustration over the lack of senior administrative officials at the protest site, noting that only police personnel were dispatched to manage the situation.
Subsequently, officials assured the protesters that an inquiry would be conducted within the next one or two days, leading to the conclusion of the agitation. Jharsuguda sub-collector Sabyasachi Panda stated that he had received communication from the additional district magistrate regarding the matter.
“A joint inspection will be carried out with officials from the water resources department within the next couple of days,” he confirmed.
Attempts to reach plant official Laxminarayan Mishra for a comment were unsuccessful. Residents cautioned that if the administration does not address the issue promptly and the company persists in extracting water, a larger public agitation will be organized in the coming days.
