Odisha Sanctions ₹239 Crore for Major Upper Indravati Canal Revamp
Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to strengthen irrigation infrastructure and enhance agricultural productivity, the Odisha Government has approved an investment of ₹239.13 crore for the renovation and restoration of a 42.606-km stretch of the Upper Indravati Right Main Canal in Kalahandi district.
The project will be undertaken under the state’s Canal Lining and System Rehabilitation Programme.
The approved work covers Reach-II of the canal, extending from 41.100 km to 83.706 km.
The initiative aims to reduce water seepage, improve conveyance efficiency, and ensure effective water distribution across the command area.
The Upper Indravati Right Main Canal plays a crucial role in supporting agriculture in Jaipatna, Kalampur, and Junagarh blocks of Kalahandi district.
The canal serves a command area of 27,195 hectares and currently provides irrigation to over 25,846 hectares during the Kharif season and 20,074 hectares in the Rabi season.
Officials believe the modernisation project will significantly improve the reliability of water supply, particularly benefiting tail-end farmers who often face irrigation challenges during critical crop growth stages.
The rehabilitation work is also expected to minimise transmission losses and optimise water utilisation across the irrigation network.
The Upper Indravati Multipurpose Project is one of Odisha’s flagship water resource projects, serving both irrigation and hydropower needs.
Besides supporting agricultural activities, the project contributes to power generation through the 600 MW hydel station at Mukhiguda.
With the latest investment, the state government aims to improve the long-term sustainability and operational efficiency of the canal system while enhancing the livelihoods of thousands of farmers dependent on irrigated agriculture in the region.
