Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today laid foundation stones for 19 instream storage structures in Odisha.
The instream storage structures will be constructed in 13 districts of Odisha with an expenditure of Rs 4,600 crore, said the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in a statement.
The instream storage structures will come up in Bargarh, Balangir, Boudh, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Khurda, Puri, Sambalpur, Sonepur and Sundargarh districts in the state, it added.
The state government had launched a programme in 2020 to construct instream storage structures in Odisha by spending around Rs 11,700 crore. It has prepared blueprints for 72 such structures in the state in three phases, sources said.
“The instream storage structures are crucial for irrigation and drinking water projects in Odisha. The will also help restore groundwater levels and boost fishery and animal husbandry in Odisha. Besides, they will play a key role in flood management,” said the Chief Minister.
The projects will be implemented within a certain period of time and no one will be displaced for this purpose, added the Chief Minister.
Speaking on the occasion, Water Resources Minister Tukuni Sahu said the instream projects will help provide irrigation facility to farmers during the summer.
Development Commissioner and Water Resources department Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg delivered the welcome address and departmental Engineer-in-Chief proposed the vote of thanks.
