Odisha plans 7 barrages in Mahanadi downstream

Odisha government today said it has plans to construct at least seven barrages in the downstream of the Mahanadi river, an apple of discord between the state and neighbouring Chhattisgarh.

Besides, 22 other projects would also be constructed on the tributaries and distributaries of the Mahanadi, Water Resources Secretary P K Jena told a press conference.

"The state government has been working on a roadmap and a master plan to put a check on water of the Mahanadi that is getting drained into the sea by constructing barrages and anicuts downstream," Jena said.

He said the proposed projects were aimed at meeting the drinking water, irrigation and other requirements of the people.

An estimated 52 per cent of Mahanadi water is flowing down to the Bay of Bengal, official sources said.

Jena's statement is significant in the wake of Odisha government's opposition to Chhattisgarh government constructing projects on the upstream of the Mahanadi river. The dispute between the two states is now pending before a tribunal.

The water resources secretary did not divulge much about the proposed master plan of the government.

The sources said the seven major projects would include barrages and anicuts at Boudh, Sambalpur, Subarnapur and Munduli areas.