Odisha cabinet approves six river linking projects at ₹1790 crore
The Odisha government had earlier proposed the Mahanadi Godavari Link Project by constructing a storage reservoir on the Mahanadi River at Manibhadra and a connecting canal from this reservoir to the Godavari River. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu
In a bid to tackle the vagaries of climate change and the resulting water crisis, the Odisha cabinet has decided to introduce six river linking projects with a budget outlay of ₹1,790 crore.
The State Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, on Friday, October 10, 2025, approved an ambitious plan titled Intra-State River Linkage Scheme in Odisha with an investment of ₹ 1790 crore. These projects will be executed over a five-year period from fiscal year 2025-26 to 2029-30.
According to the government, the project, which aims to connect water-surplus river basins with water-stressed regions, will increase resilience to drought, create additional water storage, reduce flood risks and increase agricultural productivity.
The government plans to undertake Katra Link Project (feeder canals from Kansapal), Vansadhara-Rushikulya (Nandini Nalla) inter-link project, Hiradharbati Flood Flow Canal Project, Bahuda Tampara Link Project, Ong-Suktel Garland Canal Project and Telengiri-Upper Kolab Project in the first phase.
Twelve major rivers flow in the state, the longest being Mahanadi and the shortest being Bahuda. Odisha rivers are mostly rain-fed. Odisha government had earlier proposed
The Odisha government had earlier proposed the Mahanadi Godavari Link Project by constructing a storage reservoir on the Mahanadi River at Manibhadra and a connecting canal from this reservoir to the Godavari River.
Apart from river linking projects, the Mohan Majhi Government has decided to revive the lost ayacut through renovation and modernization and develop the irrigation area beyond its design capacity under the ‘Nabakrushna Choudhury Secha Unnayan Yojana’.
As per cabinet approval, ‘Nabakrushna Choudhury Secha Unnayan Yojana’ has been extended for another five years from 2025-26 to 2029-30 with an outlay of ₹ 1,437.00 crore. It is expected to make optimum use of irrigation designed for the revival of lost ayacut by restoring irrigation potential of 1,23,448 hectares and increasing additional irrigation coverage of 4,862 hectares.
It was published – 11 October 2025 13:30 IST
