Malkangiri, 9th Sept 2025: A farewell felicitation ceremony was held at the Bangla premises of Solukonda, Balimela for Er. Pitabas Sethi, the Chief Construction Engineer of the Potaru Irrigation Department, who has now been transferred to Bhubaneswar.
The event saw participation from:
- Er. Shiva Prasad Panigrahi, Chief Construction Engineer
- Er. Karuna Sagar Behera, Superintending Engineer
- Engineers from Andhra Pradesh, along with Assistant Engineers, Executive Engineers, and other departmental staff.
- All officers and staff of the department were present at the event. Many praised Er. Sethi’s remarkable contributions and effective tenure, highlighting numerous successful projects completed under his leadership.
Key Achievements During Er. Sethi’s Tenure:
- Successfully rehabilitated and provided jobs to 7 people (initially 2, followed by 5) under the Resettlement Scheme.
- Completed canal repair works in Tamasa and Gampakonda canal systems, ensuring water reached tail ends—a long-standing issue.
- Renovated all distributaries, minors, and sub-minors, ensuring effective irrigation.
- Achieved irrigation coverage for 70,000 hectares out of the department’s target of 72,000 ha.
Under his leadership, the Potaru Irrigation Division:
- Achieved 1st position in the state twice,
- And 3rd position this year, bringing pride to Malkangiri district.
- Future Potential Projects:
- If the Katapali Minor Canal is extended by an additional 1 km (from 1.52 km),
- And if a 30-meter aqueduct is constructed over the Nuaguda Nala,
- Then nearly 2,000 hectares of land could be brought under irrigation.
Er. Sethi has appealed to the State’s Chief Engineers to give this proposal due consideration, stating that if these projects are completed, Malkangiri district can achieve 100% irrigation coverage.
Additionally, during his tenure, the district made strides in paddy, moong, black gram, and especially groundnut cultivation, benefiting local farmers significantly.
The event was highly emotional, with Er. Sethi becoming visibly moved during his farewell, as were many present.
Ceremony Conclusion:
The farewell ceremony concluded with Assistant Chief Construction Engineer Er. Abhimanyu Pradhan managing the stage and offering a heartfelt vote of thanks.