As many as 45 check-dams were completed within two months under different bridges in various districts including 31 check-dams by the Works Department and 14 by the Department of Rural Development.
This was known from a high-level review meeting held on digital mode from Lokseba Bhawan under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra recently.
Besides, 480 bridges were identified by both the departments where 1.5 mt height check dams could yield around 1,000 cubic meter water. For example, check-dam under a thirty meter bridge could yield 30,000 cubic meter of water at a particular point of time.
Mahapatra said bridge cum check-dams, while raising surface water level in the river beds will significantly help in ground water recharge and rejuvenation of eco-system and directed both the departments to complete around 300 bridges during the current financial year.
It was estimated that around Rs 413.81 crore would be invested for construction of these bridges. Further, Chief Secretary Mahapatra directed the departments of Water Resources and Horticulture to motivate and advise the farmers having land on both sides of the river/creek (where such constructions were completed) for raising the vegetables and cash crops.