Odisha to spend Rs 75,000 cr on water resource development: CM

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced that his government will spend Rs 75,000 crore for development of water resources across the state in the next five years, official sources said.

Patnaik said this after reviewing the drinking water, irrigation and expenditure from the district mineral foundation (DMF) in Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sundergarh and Jharsuguda districts.

Patnaik yesterday visited Jharsuguda to launch a rally of his party, the BJD, to make people of Odisha aware of its dispute with the neighbouring BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh over the Mahanadi water sharing issue.

He has also directed the department of water resources to prepare a comprehensive river policy within three months.

Stating that water conservation programmes would be taken up in the Mahanadi for drinking water and irrigation purposes, Patnaik said barrages would be constructed in places.

Earlier, Water Resources Minister Niranjan Pujari had said that the state Odisha government is preparing a master plan to utilise the Mahanadi's water by constructing as many as seven barrages in the downstream of the river and 22 barrages on its tributaries and distributaries.

This apart, Patnaik said, the concrete lining work of Bargarh and Sasan canals would be taken up at an investment of Rs 400 crore and completed within three years.

Patnaik also suggested the water resources department to start bidding process for the Gangadhar Meher Mega Lift Irrigation canal within three months.

The Chief Minister also directed the officials that the drinking water supply should get priority while spending from funds under the DMF.