Umrar Dam Project Under Fire: Minister’s Displeasure and Farmers’ Growing Concerns

Forest NOC Pending, Power Supply Incomplete, General Manager Unreachable

The much-talked-about ₹136 crore Umrar Dam Project in Umaria has once again come under intense scrutiny. At a recent meeting of the District Planning Committee, Minister-in-Charge Nagar Singh raised sharp questions about the project's progress. The lack of clear responses and incomplete information from officials has only deepened the controversy surrounding this ambitious water scheme.

Forest Department NOC Missing – Project Stuck in Limbo

According to official sources, the planned water supply route must pass through approximately 5 kilometers of forest land. While the Forest Department has given in-principle approval, a formal No Objection Certificate (NOC) has yet to be issued. Without this critical clearance, questions are being raised from bureaucrats to the common public: how can a project move forward without even the basic environmental green light?

Electric Shock: Heavy Expenses, No Connection

The project relies on large-scale water pumping from a remote hilly region, which demands powerful generators and a dedicated three-phase power supply. Shockingly, the department has not even submitted an application for an electricity connection at the project site. Experts warn that once the connection is obtained, the monthly electricity bills could run into lakhs of rupees, placing a heavy burden on the government treasury.

Farmers Face Uncertainty Over Irrigation

Perhaps the most critical concern is the potential impact on local agriculture. With growing signs that the project might not fulfill Umaria town’s drinking water needs, there is also a looming threat to irrigation. Currently, the Umrar Dam supports irrigation across 2,429 hectares of farmland. If water is diverted for alternate uses, farmers could lose their primary source of irrigation, jeopardizing livelihoods in the region.

General Manager Remains Silent

When Nav Swadesh attempted to contact Palak Jain, General Manager of the Water Corporation, for a statement, he initially answered the call but later disconnected and became unreachable. This silence has further fueled public suspicion and media frustration.

Planning or Pitfall? Citizens Demand Clarity

Local representatives and concerned citizens have made their stance clear: no project should move ahead without full technical and environmental clearances. Furthermore, the needs of Umaria town’s residents and farmers must be prioritized. Until these conditions are met, the Umrar Dam Project risks becoming more of a water crisis than a solution.

Conclusion: The Umrar water project was meant to solve problems, not create them. Unless transparency, responsibility, and planning integrity are restored, it could become a cautionary tale of how not to manage a public utility scheme. 




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