Odisha is rethinking water as a cornerstone of security and development. With 115 projects inaugurated and 22 major resources laid, the state aims to boost irrigation by thousands of hectares, create livelihoods, and fortify communities through diverse infrastructure, from check dams to underground pipelines and solar-powered bore wells.
India
-Oneindia Staff
Odisha is shifting the way it looks at water, treating it not just as an input for irrigation but as the foundation of water security, livelihoods and resilient communities. Under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the state has created 3,28,370 hectares of assured irrigation potential in the last two years.
The state has inaugurated 115 water infrastructure projects. These include medium irrigation projects, In-Stream Storage Structures, Megalift projects, check dams and Underground Piped Line systems.
Odisha is rethinking water as a cornerstone of security and development. With 115 projects inaugurated and 22 major resources laid, the state aims to boost irrigation by thousands of hectares, create livelihoods, and fortify communities through diverse infrastructure, from check dams to underground pipelines and solar-powered bore wells.
Foundation stones have also been laid for 22 major water resources projects, which are expected to benefit nearly 63,042 farmers. In Sambalpur district, the Degaon In-Stream Storage Structure will store around 5,480 hectare-metres of water, benefiting 118 villages and nearly one lakh people.
Check dams and lift irrigation
Odisha has added 746 new check dams and improved 1,299 more. Under lift irrigation, the state has taken up 3,326 Community Lift Irrigation Projects, 17,279 Deep Bore Wells and 10,706 Solar-Powered Deep Bore Wells. Together, these have created an additional 2,11,588 hectares of irrigation potential.
A further 1,512 defunct Community Lift Irrigation Projects have been revived, while existing projects have also been strengthened.
Impact in the fields
The results are visible in irrigated acreage. Kharif 2024 and 2025 together saw 67.54 lakh hectares irrigated, while Rabi 2024 and 2025 recorded 25.32 lakh hectares.
Rs 27,379 crore invested, next phase planned
More than Rs 27,379 crore has been invested in the water resources sector over the last two years. The next phase of work includes intra-state river linking, comprehensive flood management and renovation of the Hirakud canal system.
National recognition
The Odisha Water Resources Department has won the Best Award in the State Category at the 9th India International Water Week 2026. The state also secured first position in the Best State Category at the 5th National Water Awards 2024.
In addition, five districts received the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Awards 2025, and the Department received five Viswakarma Awards in 2026. From irrigation to conservation, Odisha is positioning water management as a long-term strategy for water security and resilient development, officials said.
