Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi highlighted the state’s efforts to strengthen irrigation, water infrastructure, groundwater management and water conservation while speaking at the Jal Shakti Summit in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, water resources ministers and senior officials from several states attended the summit.
Rs 54,000 Crore Approved For Water Infrastructure
Addressing the gathering, CM Majhi said agriculture remains a key pillar of Odisha’s economy, making water security and irrigation development important priorities for the state.
He said water infrastructure projects worth around Rs 54,000 crore have been approved over the past two years. Irrigation facilities have also been extended to approximately 3.2 lakh hectares, according to the Chief Minister.
The government has simultaneously focused on creating new water storage and irrigation infrastructure while renovating existing facilities.
Check Dams And Irrigation Projects Expanded
Odisha has completed 770 new check dams and nine In-Stream Storage Structures, while 1,312 existing check dams have been renovated.
The state has also completed a barrage, two underground pipeline distribution networks, six mega lift irrigation projects and 32 minor irrigation projects.
Looking ahead, the government plans to construct 14 additional In-Stream Storage Structures and six medium irrigation projects during the coming year.
Work is also underway on five major and medium irrigation projects, 58 mega lift irrigation projects and five minor irrigation projects.
Thousands Of Water Projects Underway
The Chief Minister also outlined the expansion of community-based and groundwater irrigation infrastructure across the state.
Odisha has established 3,224 community lift irrigation projects, along with 20,228 deep borewells and 8,917 solar-powered deep borewells.
These projects are aimed at improving access to irrigation water, particularly in areas where conventional irrigation infrastructure may be limited.
Focus On Rainwater Harvesting And Groundwater Recharge
The state has also been implementing measures to conserve rainwater and improve groundwater availability.
Under the Chhata scheme, around 20,000 rooftop rainwater harvesting structures have been completed. Another 1,200 recharge shafts have been constructed under the Arua scheme.
More than 40,000 Pani Panchayats are also being strengthened to improve community participation in water management and irrigation.
Kanupur Project Reaches Major Milestone
CM Majhi also highlighted the completion of the long-pending Kanupur Project, describing it as an important development in Odisha’s irrigation sector.
The dam component of the project was completed on August 31, while the canal network is expected to be completed within the next year.
Once fully operational, the project is expected to provide irrigation to approximately 25,000 hectares, potentially benefiting agricultural communities in the project area.
Odisha Recognised For Water Management
The Chief Minister further pointed to Odisha’s recognition as the best-performing state in the Fifth National Water Awards as an indication of the state’s progress in water management and conservation.
The initiatives highlighted at the Jal Shakti Summit underline Odisha’s broader focus on expanding irrigation coverage, improving groundwater recharge, strengthening water storage infrastructure and promoting sustainable management of water resources.
