Bhubaneswar: Balangir MLA Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo has urged Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to order an urgent and independent technical inquiry into alleged structural damage and design deficiencies in the newly constructed Chattamakhana Dam in Balangir district.

In a letter, Singh Deo said the dam's cut-off wall was washed away, and downstream embankments were damaged during recent rains. He described the damage to a recently completed public asset as a serious concern and sought a time-bound investigation into the design, construction and approval process.

According to the letter, the project was executed on an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis. The MLA alleged that the contractor's sanctioned design differed substantially from the estimated design prepared at the tender stage.

The overall length was reduced from 256 metres to 206 metres, while the number of gates came down from 18 to 14. The impervious floor length was also reduced from 80 metres to 50 metres. At the same time, solid retaining walls of 24 metres were added on each flank, which, according to the letter, reduced the clear waterway available for discharge.

The estimated project cost was also reduced from around Rs 154 crore to Rs 116 crore. However, the design discharge remained unchanged at 2,760 cubic metres per second (cumec).

Singh Deo has questioned whether the reduced waterway can safely handle the retained design discharge. He argued that the shorter impervious floor could affect energy dissipation and seepage control, potentially increasing the risk of downstream scour and undermining.

The MLA has also sought an examination of the hydrological relationship between Chattamakhana Dam and the Lower Suktel Dam.

The letter states that Chattamakhana Dam is located around 18 km downstream of Lower Suktel Dam, whose spillway has a design discharge of about 7,035 cumec. It also points to an intervening catchment of approximately 111 sq km that could contribute additional runoff.

Singh Deo has asked the inquiry to determine whether the 2,760-cumec design flood for Chattamakhana was correctly assessed and whether it was reviewed after the commissioning of Lower Suktel Dam.

The MLA has sought an independent technical inquiry involving the State Dam Safety Organisation and external experts. He has asked for an examination of the sanctioned and constructed parameters, the contractor's justification for the design changes and the records of the authorities that reviewed and approved the final design.

He has also sought an investigation into the causes of the damaged cut-off wall and downstream embankments, the present stability of the structure and the possibility of progressive or complete failure.

Singh Deo further called for responsibility to be fixed on the contractor and officials involved in the design review and approval if any deficiencies are established. He sought rectification of the structure at the contractor's cost where non-compliance is found, along with an assessment of the quality of materials, workmanship and supervision.

The MLA has urged the government to take immediate safety and risk-mitigation measures, including restrictions on impoundment or operation if necessary and downstream warning arrangements.

He has also requested that the inquiry report, including the recorded design justifications, approval notes and recommended corrective measures, be placed in the public domain.