Odisha's CM Unveils Major Irrigation Projects to Boost Agriculture

Foundation Stones Laid for Key Irrigation Initiatives

Kendujhar/Baripada: On Saturday, Odisha's Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi initiated three significant lift irrigation projects valued at ₹120 crore in the Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj districts. These initiatives aim to enhance irrigation across 4,280 hectares of farmland.

The projects, located in Raikala, Satikudar, and Jarkani, are scheduled for completion by 2028 and are expected to benefit communities in the Jhumpura and Kendujhar blocks of Kendujhar district, as well as the Jarkani region of Mayurbhanj, according to officials.

During the event, CM Majhi emphasized that these projects would enable farmers to cultivate two to three crops each year instead of just one, thereby boosting their earnings.

He stated, "If farmers thrive, Odisha thrives. The rural economy cannot flourish without adequate water supply to our fields. This initiative is not just about installing water pipes; it represents a transformative step towards converting our dry lands into fertile fields of abundance."

The Chief Minister also took the opportunity to criticize the previous BJD administration for not meeting the goal of irrigating at least 35% of agricultural land in each block.

Majhi, who has a farming background, remarked, "As a farmer's son, I recognize that providing water to agricultural land alleviates many of a farmer's challenges. Our government is committed to irrigating 15 lakh hectares of land over the next five years."

Holding the Water Resources portfolio, CM Majhi revealed that the state has allocated ₹14,500 crore in the current budget for various irrigation initiatives.

He noted that six intra-basin reservoir projects have been completed, and 1,941 kilometers of field channels have been reinforced with cement concrete (RCC), enhancing irrigation across 80,000 hectares.

Additionally, underground pipeline systems are being installed under the Anandapur Barrage, Lower Suktel, and Kusumi Barrage projects. The construction of 656 new check dams and the renovation of 1,022 existing ones have also been undertaken across the state.

CM Majhi announced that the long-anticipated Kanupur Irrigation Project in Kendujhar district will be officially inaugurated in December, which is expected to provide irrigation to thousands of hectares of farmland.

During his visit, the Chief Minister also inaugurated a Community Health Centre (CHC) in Jhumpura, built at a cost of ₹17.97 crore, along with a new SBI branch in Raikala.

Furthermore, he announced plans for a sports complex in Raikala, estimated at ₹24 crore, and an SC/ST residential school to be constructed at ₹30 crore.