BHUBANESWAR: Rivers of Odisha are far more polluted than what is projected by the Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), pointed out experts at a seminar here on Wednesday.

Consultative meet held on the issue decides to spread awareness

Even as dependency on the River Mahanadi that flows through Chhattisgarh and Odisha is increasing, activists from both the States have joined hands to press for formulation of a holistic river management plan. At a consultative meeting titled ‘Building a people’s agenda for management of the River Mahanadi,’ organised by Water Initiatives Odisha and Nadi Ghati Morcha, Chhattisgarh, at Sambalpur on Sunday, activists and farmers underlined the need for greater understanding and cooperation on use of water of the Mahanadi River.

ONGC's foreign arm had agreed to buy firm's stake in Kashagan field for $5 bn

US-based ConocoPhillips is in talks with state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation ( ONGC) to pick stake in more than one of its ultra-deep-water blocks. A senior executive from ONGC said ConocoPhillips, US’s third largest energy giant, had examined 19 of its blocks and would shortly decide the ones it planned to pick a stake in.

The delay in starting a few irrigation projects in the state has put the Chhattisgarh government under the scanner for allegedly helping the industries in the state.

The opposition Congress party on Friday charged that the BJP government in Chhattisgarh was giving priority to the industries than the farmers when it came to give water from its resources. The issue came up during the Question Hour in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly.

Forest and environment minister Bijayshree Routray today informed the State Assembly that the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has found 43 stations of nine main rivers of the state as

It is an issue that crops up year after year without a permanent solution in sight.

Experts feel common infrastructure practical solution as defence min forbids construction of permanent structures
RAJEEV JAYASWAL NEW DELHI

Since it would take about five to six years to develop the projects

The state grid network will add about 1,500 Mw from hydro power generating plants by 2020, said the water resources department."We have 10 projects under pipeline with a combined capacity close to 1,500 Mw and the DPRs (detailed project report) will be completed by December 2012. We hope the energy department would award the contracts within one year (after the DPR submission)”, said Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, state water resources secretary, while speaking at a workshop on “Development of Grid Connected Small/Mini/Micro Hydro Projects” here.