In order to control floodwater in Subarnarekha river, a dredging project would be undertaken soon at a total cost of Rs950 crore to be borne by both Central and State Governments.

Baleswar MP Rabindra Kumar Jena said this at a review meeting held here recently. Basta MlA Nityananda Sahu, Water Resources Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, lower Mahanadi Basin Chief Satrughna Dash, the Odisha Construction Company limited’s Pradip Mohanty and SE Baripada Irrigation Circle Executive Engineer Rajkishor Ghadei were present.

Jena said he has already apprised Union Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Uma Bharati about how people of south Odisha are facing problems due to Subaranrekha floods. He said the Centre has taken the matter seriously and agreed to start Subarnarekha renovation work soon.

According to the plan, the project would be implemented in three phases at Rs950 crore. In the first phase, Rs210 crore would be spent in dredging a stretch of 10 km from the Subarnrekha mouth. Another 12 km would be dredged from Pantei to the sea mouth as water from West Bengal enters sea through the water passage. The weak patching pockets would be strengthened.

The survey work has been assigned to the IIT, Chennai and the actual ground work would begin within three to four months. Secretary Jena visited river portions at Talseri, Mankadia and Kirtania areas of Bhograi block. He also took stock of works that were undertaken in Rasalpur and Rautraypur. In both these villages at least 30 houses and a school went into the river due to scouring. He directed his department officials to complete the work by March, 2015.

He also reviewed progress of the Rs12-crore stone patching work from Talseri to Udaipur.