Doc infuses life into dead river | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: In a remarkable testament to perseverance and environmental stewardship, P C Rath, a prominent cardiologist, successfully spearheaded the revival of Sukku Paika river in Cuttack, transforming lives of millions residing along its banks.
The 71-year-old physician, who divides his time between Bhubaneswar and Hyderabad, spent over a decade fighting to resurrect the tributary of the Mahanadi. The Sukku Paika, which branches off at Ayatpur village and flows for 28 km before rejoining the Mahanadi at Kankala village, was considered dead for years. The river’s decline began in 1952 when the state govt blocked its starting point to prevent flooding in nearby villages. The subsequent construction of Hirakud dam in Sambalpur and Naraj barrage in Cuttack further threatened the river’s existence.
“When conventional approaches failed to yield results after meeting with the then chief minister, we formed the ‘Save Sukku Paika’ movement,” Rath said. The initiative garnered widespread support from the local community, leading to several innovative protests, including a cooking strike and a Holi festival boycott.
The persistent efforts of Rath and villagers finally paid off. The state govt has now allocated substantial funds for the river’s rejuvenation. According to recent statements by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi in the state assembly, the civil work on the sluice over Sukku Paika has been completed, with mechanical gate works scheduled for completion before the 2025 monsoon season.
“Approximately 93.3% of the required land acquisition was completed as of March 2025,” the chief minister reported, adding that survey and soil exploration works for the escape construction were also finished.
The 71-year-old physician, who divides his time between Bhubaneswar and Hyderabad, spent over a decade fighting to resurrect the tributary of the Mahanadi. The Sukku Paika, which branches off at Ayatpur village and flows for 28 km before rejoining the Mahanadi at Kankala village, was considered dead for years. The river’s decline began in 1952 when the state govt blocked its starting point to prevent flooding in nearby villages. The subsequent construction of Hirakud dam in Sambalpur and Naraj barrage in Cuttack further threatened the river’s existence.
“When conventional approaches failed to yield results after meeting with the then chief minister, we formed the ‘Save Sukku Paika’ movement,” Rath said. The initiative garnered widespread support from the local community, leading to several innovative protests, including a cooking strike and a Holi festival boycott.
The persistent efforts of Rath and villagers finally paid off. The state govt has now allocated substantial funds for the river’s rejuvenation. According to recent statements by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi in the state assembly, the civil work on the sluice over Sukku Paika has been completed, with mechanical gate works scheduled for completion before the 2025 monsoon season.
“Approximately 93.3% of the required land acquisition was completed as of March 2025,” the chief minister reported, adding that survey and soil exploration works for the escape construction were also finished.
