Odisha Sanctions Rs 625 Crore for Five Instream Storage Projects to Secure Water for 74 Villages
BHUBANESWAR: In a decisive move to bolster rural water security and mitigate the impact of erratic monsoons, the Government of Odisha has granted administrative approval to five major Instream Storage Structure (ISS) projects valued at Rs 625.47 crore.
Cleared within a single month, the initiative is set to directly benefit nearly 72,000 residents across 74 villages in southern and western Odisha.
Spanning five districts—Rayagada, Kalahandi, Ganjam, Balangir, and Sonepur—the infrastructure push aims to ensure dependable drinking water availability, replenish depleting groundwater tables, and stimulate rural livelihoods.
Strategic River Basin Projects
The newly sanctioned projects target key river systems across the state:
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Dhuanpadar ISS: Across the Vansadhara River in Rayagada district.
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Revatiguda ISS: Across the Nagavali River in Rayagada district.
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Bhimpur ISS: Across the Bahuda River in Ganjam district.
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Muralijore ISS: Near Nijharidara village in Bhawanipatna block, Kalahandi district.
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Kutasingha Barrage: Across the Ong River (a major tributary of the Mahanadi), serving communities across Balangir and Sonepur districts.
Sustainable Water Management
Unlike traditional large-scale dams that necessitate extensive land acquisition and displacement, instream storage structures retain excess monsoon flows directly within existing river channels.
By capturing seasonal water, these structures ensure steady water availability during dry summer months.
Additionally, the impounded water serves as a natural recharge mechanism for surrounding aquifers, revitalising village wells and borewells in water-stressed regions.
Economic and Livelihood Impact
Beyond securing domestic water supplies, the projects are designed to boost local rural economies.
Assured water availability will support small-scale agriculture, irrigation, and livestock rearing across the 74 beneficiary villages.
Furthermore, the Dhuanpadar, Muralijore, and Revatiguda sites have been earmarked as key hubs for inland fisheries and aquaculture, opening new avenues for local employment.
Mission-Mode Execution Under ISS 2.0
The rapid clearance of these projects highlights the state government’s mission-mode execution under the expanded ISS 2.0 programme, which prioritises climate adaptation and river ecosystem health.
Spearheaded under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the initiative underscores Odisha’s commitment to building decentralised, sustainable water infrastructure on the path toward a water-secure Viksit Odisha.
