Farmers of Chandili panchayat, located in the Kotpad block of Koraput district bordering Chhattisgarh, have voiced strong opposition against the construction of a mandi (paddy procurement centre) at the nearby Pipalahandi village. The farmers allege that the chosen site is unsuitable and will create significant hardships for cultivators during the procurement season.
Memorandum Submitted to District Administration
On Wednesday, the farmers submitted a formal memorandum to the district administration, demanding that the mandi be established at Chandili. They highlighted that approximately 2.35 acres of government land in Chandili had been demarcated for this purpose nearly two years ago. However, the project was later shifted to Pipalahandi, which is about 3 kilometers away from the originally proposed location.
Flood Risk at Pipalahandi Site
The farmers expressed concerns that the Pipalahandi site is highly flood-prone, as it lies barely 200 meters from a river that frequently overflows during the monsoon season. Padmanav Bisoi, a local farmer, stated, "If the mandi is built there, farmers will face difficulties during the rainy season as the entire area gets inundated."
Safety Hazards for Transportation
Another major concern raised by the farmers is the elevation of the land. They claimed that the Pipalahandi site is nearly 4 feet below the road level and approximately 15 feet lower than National Highway 26, making transportation of paddy-laden trucks and tractors risky. Padman Harijan, a farmer from Chandili, warned, "There is every possibility of accidents while transporting paddy in trucks and tractors to such a low-lying area. The administration should reconsider the decision in the interest of farmers."
Lack of Action from Officials
Rabi Chandra Bisoi, another farmer, alleged that despite repeated appeals to tehsil-level officials, no concrete action has been taken so far. Chandili sarpanch Puspa Pujari urged the administration to set up the mandi at Chandili, emphasizing the suitability of the originally demarcated land.
Administration's Response
Sub-collector (Jeypore) Jadumani Nayak acknowledged that residents of Pipalahandi are also demanding that the mandi be established in their village. He said, "The construction work has been stopped following opposition from the farmers and residents of both villages. They have been asked to arrive at an amicable solution. If they fail, the administration will take necessary steps."
