PHIRINGIA, KANDHAMAL: (Report- Mathew Muths Majhi): In the heart of Odisha’s Kandhamal district, a community’s lifeline has turned into a symbol of government neglect. Residents of Kaladi village, located in the Panga Upar Sahi Panchayat, are facing a severe crisis. A check dam and canal system, built 25 years ago to transform local agriculture, now lie in ruins. 
For the last 22 years, the canal has remained broken. What was once a source of life is now a dry, stony path.
Today, the situation is grim. Without a reliable water source, especially during the harsh summer months, the farmers cannot grow enough food. Their "backbone" is effectively broken, as they struggle to maintain their basic livelihood.
The villagers have a simple and clear demand: The ITDA must prioritize the immediate reconstruction and repair of the check dam and canal.
The restoration of this canal is not just about masonry and cement; it is about restoring the dignity of 30 families. If the government acts quickly, these farmers can return to their fields, secure their food supply, and contribute to the local economy once again. For the people of Kaladi, the water from this canal is the only thing standing between them and a future of poverty.
A Brief Success Followed by Decades of Decay
The Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) constructed the check dam and canal nearly a quarter-century ago. For the first three years, the project worked perfectly. Water flowed freely into the fields, and the farmers of Kaladi village saw their hard work pay off. However, the joy was short-lived. The structure soon collapsed due to a lack of maintenance, and the water stopped flowing.For the last 22 years, the canal has remained broken. What was once a source of life is now a dry, stony path.
The Impact on Local Families
The collapse of the irrigation system has hit the "Upar Padar Sahi" neighborhood the hardest. About 30 families in this area rely entirely on vegetable farming to survive. When the canal functioned, these families grew diverse crops, fed their children, and sold the surplus in local markets to earn a steady income.Today, the situation is grim. Without a reliable water source, especially during the harsh summer months, the farmers cannot grow enough food. Their "backbone" is effectively broken, as they struggle to maintain their basic livelihood.
A Community United in Demand
Despite the long wait, the villagers have not stayed silent. Local leaders and farmers, including Kabichandra Kanhar, Gopalakrishna Kanhar, Durbasa Bindhani, and many others, have come together to raise their voices. They have repeatedly brought the issue to the attention of the local administration, yet no concrete action has been taken.The villagers have a simple and clear demand: The ITDA must prioritize the immediate reconstruction and repair of the check dam and canal.
The restoration of this canal is not just about masonry and cement; it is about restoring the dignity of 30 families. If the government acts quickly, these farmers can return to their fields, secure their food supply, and contribute to the local economy once again. For the people of Kaladi, the water from this canal is the only thing standing between them and a future of poverty.
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