Intensifying its protests over the Mahanadi water issue, the Congress on Friday announced that it would observe a 12-hour dawn-to-dusk Odisha Bandh on August 16 (Tuesday).

Essential services would be exempted from the purview of the bandh.

A decision in this regard was taken at an important meeting of senior party leaders chaired by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Prasad Harichandan at the party office here.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Harichandan said, “The Centre should intervene in the matter and should restrict the Chhattisgarh Government from constructing the barrages and dams on the Mahanadi.”

Besides, Harichandan also demanded that the Odisha Government take necessary legal action against the neighbouring State over the issue.

Harichandan accused the Central NDA Government and the State BJD Government of exploiting the people of Odisha and the Chhattisgarh Government of violating the country’s Federal structure with the Union Government’s supporting.

leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra criticised the Odisha Government for not providing any document relating to the construction of dams on the Mahanadi in Chhattisgarh despite his requests.

Mishra alleged that the Odisha Government had remained silent over the issue even though it was aware about the dam construction activities of the Chhattisgarh Government ever since 2007. The Chhattisgarh Government is constructing six barrages over the Mahanadi on its side.