Odisha cupboard approves six river linking tasks at 1790 crore

With an purpose to negate vagaries of local weather change, ensuing water disaster, Odisha cupboard has determined to return with six river linking tasks with a budgetary outlay of ₹1790 crore.

The State Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Friday (October 10, 2025) has permitted an formidable scheme titled – Intra-State River Linking Scheme in Odisha at an funding of ₹1790 crore. These tasks might be executed over a interval of 5 years 2025-26 to 2029-30 fiscal.

As per the federal government, the mission which intends to attach water-surplus river basins with water-deficient areas will enhance drought resilience, create further water storage, mitigate flood dangers, and increase agricultural productiveness.

Initially, the federal government is seeking to take up Katra Link Project (feeder channels from Kansapal), Vansadhara-Rushikulya (Nandini Nalla) intra-link mission, Hiradharbati Flood Flow Channel Project, Bahuda Tampara Link Project, Ong-Suktel Garland Canal Project and Telengiri-Upper Kolab Project.

There are twelve main rivers flowing within the State, of which the Mahanadi is the longest and the Bahuda is the shortest. The rivers of Odisha are primarily rainfed. Odisha authorities had earlier proposed

Odisha authorities had earlier proposed Mahanadi Godavari Link Project by setting up a storage reservoir on Mahanadi River at Manibhadra and a hyperlink canal from this reservoir to the Godavari River.

Apart from the river linking tasks, the Mohan Majhi Government has determined to revive the misplaced ayacut by renovation and modernization and improve the irrigation space past the design capability below ‘Nabakrushna Choudhury Secha Unnayan Yojana’.

As per the approval by Cabinet, ‘Nabakrushna Choudhury Secha Unnayan Yojana’ has been prolonged for an extra interval of 5 years from 2025-26 to 2029-30 with an outlay of ₹1437.00 crore. It is predicted to realize optimum utilisation of the designed irrigation for revival of misplaced ayacut by restoring irrigation potential of 1,23,448 hectare and growing further irrigation protection of 4862 hectare.