Demanding completion of the construction work of the Zero Dam project soon, Kasinagar farmers in Gajapati district have given a bandh call on Monday. They have also threatened to resort to a gherao at the Collectorate in future course of action if their demand would not fulfilled soon. It is pertinent to mention that in the wake of the protest on May 5 by the dam's basement area farmers apprehensive of losing irrigational facilities and protesting against the ill-effects of dam, the district administration had withheld the on-going construction work while 40 per cent of the work had already been completed. After a pretty long wait, the NABARD-sponsored Rs 3.06 crore estimated cost Zero Dam project saw the light of the day on the catchment area of the Nila Nullah on February 27 when the local MLA K Narayan Rao performed the bhumipujan at Sunkanupeta village under Kasinagar block. The dam would cater to the irrigational needs of 679 hectares of land in the block. However, the apprehensive basement area farmers have been vehemently opposing it following which they had resorted to a strike at Kidinga on April 20 earlier, followed by a massive protest rally and gherao of the Collectorate under the banner of Lok Sangram Manch on May 5. Even though the Collector allayed their apprehensions and misgivings against the dam, the farmers stuck to their guns following which the administration had to keep the ongoing construction work in abeyance.