Taladanda Main Canal is one of the oldest canals constructed during the British era off-taking from River Mahanadi at Jobra and running upto Paradeep in Odisha. It passes through the millennium city of Cuttack. Over the years the canal and its surroundings had become encroached, misused and presented a dismal picture of squalor in the city.
A decision was taken by the Chief Minister, Odisha to renovate and upgrade this canal by cleaning and lining the canal itself and also improving its adjoining areas. In doing so improve the water use efficiency of the canal while changing the face of the city.
The Water Resources Department of the state was entrusted with the improvement work of Taladanda canal with a target to complete it within three months as water supply through this canal was critical in supplying water to Paradeep Port area besides providing irrigation to nearly 63,751 ha of land through its system during khariff and rabi seasons. The Department of Water Resources led by the Principal Secretary, Anu Garg took it as a challenge to complete it within the time frame.
In order to complete the works with quality by adopting the best suitable methods, various alternatives were examined. The cost of the improvement through construction of RCC trough walls / conventional lining upto road formation level was both very high and time consuming. On the other hand, the alternative proposal of improvement using Cementious Composite Geo-Synthetic Mattress (CCGM), a new technology, widely used in various European countries and few states in India was thought of. CCGM is a geo-textile & concrete combination. Spacing binders internally connect two layers of synthetic fabrics: by varying the length of these spacing elements, the thickness of the mattress is controlled. The internal space created is filled with fine aggregate concrete by pumping method. It is latest in concrete- forming that becomes a grid with the advantage of tensile strength. CCGM has no effect of UV rays and is used across the world for canal sealing, lining & remediation work. Apart from the quality, which is the prime objective, this new technology was found to be cost effective and requiring less time.
The work was entrusted to Odisha Construction Corporation, a corporation under the aegis of DoWR, Odisha to complete it by March’2021. M/s Odisha Construction Corporation Ltd. took up the work on war footing basis and completed the work by March’2021 at a cost of Rs. 23.55 crores.
Apart from having to complete the canal lining within three months with least possible disruption to water supply and irrigation the task was beset with several challenges.
1. There were number of trees on the canal bank and slopes which were removed through the state Forest Development Corporation. The tree trunks and roots were removed by OCC engaging excavators.
2. On the canal slope telephone cables laid by BSNL and other private agencies had to be disconnected.
3. The shifting of electric pole/line was a major issue which was tackled taking up with the electricity authority.
4. Various drainage outlets of hospital & municipality fall into the Taladanda Canal which had to be subsequently closed by Cuttack Municipality Corporation who made alternate arrangement to divert the live drainage waste water.
5. The slope and the bed of the canal were filled with garbage. Cleaning and disposal of the same proved to be a challenge.
6. After removal of garbage & unusable earth the canal profile was to be maintained with the use of moorum-sand admixer. Availability of moorum was initially an issue which was finally arranged.
7. There were several technical issues as well viz, seepage in canal slope, sliding of earth due to higher water table in the river Mahanadi. These were tackled with construction of additional cement concrete toe walls / retaining walls and use of filter materials etc during execution depending upon the requirements.
This transformation of the canal was preceded by some commendable efforts by young Commissioner of Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Ms Ananya Das towards rehabilitation and resettlement of slum dwellers. An initial survey was carried out in a specific form by a joint team of CMC and Revenue officials. Community Organisers, RIs and Amins identified different structures/ habitations and classified them into:
i. Authorised Residential Units (Private dwelling units on Private land)
ii. Unauthorised Residential Units (Private dwelling units on government land)
iii. Authorised and Un-authorised Commercial Units
iv. Temples
v. Club Houses/ Community Structures
Once the initial survey was over and the primary database was created, a Rehabilitation and Resettlement proposal was made and moved to the government for confirmation which then was duly issued by the Revenue Department. The package included a fixed amount to every unauthorized residential unit and a space for construction of a dwelling unit, temporary accommodation, food and other associated day to day needs at the resettlement site. The package also compensated the authorized and unauthorized commercial structures, temples, clubs etc. Simultaneously, a rehabilitation site was prepared at Nimpur and Nazarpur with community toilets, drinking water facilities, community centers, internal roads and electricity facilities. In these sites, a 15×15’ site was demarcated and allotted for each of these households, where land was allotted for row housing.
Eviction was carried out smoothly in multiple phases for 2433 families and people were shifted after allotment of a 15×15 space. Food coupons were then distributed on arrival at the temporary dwelling area. Cheques were also distributed on the same day. This brought predictability in the system and improved the credibility of the process.
Meanwhile Works Department of the state, led by Works Secretary, Krishan Kumar cleared and beautified the roads flanking the canal on both sides. Plans are afoot to start boating on this stretch by the Municipal Commissioner even as the Water Resources Department plans to take it further.
Residents of Cuttack city who have long seen their canal dirty and decrepit are excited with its new look. A turnaround that involved teamwork and new technology and above all a desire to make a difference.
Anu Garg and her remarkable team demonstrated that even a difficult and sensitive task can be made-to-happen through meticulous planning and by taking all the stakeholders into confidence.
In order to complete the works with quality by adopting the best suitable methods, various alternatives were examined. The cost of the improvement through construction of RCC trough walls/conventional lining upto road formation level was both very high and time consuming. On the other hand, the alternative proposal of improvement using Cementious Composite Geo-Synthetic Mattress (CCGM), a new technology, widely used in various European countries and few states in India was thought of.