In a bid to meet the State’s water requirements, the Odisha Government has decided to construct seven barrages in the downstream of Mahanadi river.
Besides, 22 check-dams would also be constructed on the Mahanadi’s tributaries and distributaries, said Water Resources Department Secretary Pradeep Jena at a Press conference here on Saturday.
Jena said, “The Government is working on a roadmap and a master plan to put a check on the Mahanadi water that is getting drained into sea by constructing barrages and anicuts downstream.”
As Odisha and Chhattisgarh are involved in a bitter struggle over the Mahanadi water and as the matter is pending before a tribunal, Jena did not reveal much about the proposed master plan of the State Government.
Sources said Odisha is contemplating to undertake seven major projects including barrages and anicuts in the Boudh, Sambalpur, Subarnapur and Munduli (Cuttack) areas. The projects would be crucial in meeting drinking water, irrigation and for industrial purposes.
Notably, the Mahanadi water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh is pending before the Mahanadi Tribunal.