Bhubaneswar: The long-pending land acquisition for the Bankatira Barrage Project across the Budhabalanga River in Balasore district has moved to the compensation payment stage, clearing a key hurdle for the proposed irrigation and water supply project.
During a review meeting on the project, Principal Secretary of the Water Resources Department Shubha Sarma assessed the progress of land acquisition and other preparatory work. Possession of the identified land has been targeted by November 15, 2026, following which construction activities are expected to be expedited.
The project, located in Remuna block of Balasore district, is expected to strengthen irrigation facilities and water security across parts of Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts. It aims to provide assured Kharif irrigation to around 7,300 hectares covering 120 villages and benefiting approximately 21,269 people in Betnoti block of Mayurbhanj and Remuna, Balasore Sadar and Basta blocks of Balasore.
The barrage will also support drinking water supply, with a proposed allocation of 60 million litres per day (MLD) for Balasore Municipality and another 40 MLD for 34 gram panchayats in Balasore Sadar and Remuna blocks.
In addition, water stored in the barrage will help ensure uninterrupted Kharif irrigation to around 2,000 hectares through the existing Mega-Lift Irrigation Project in Badasahi block of Mayurbhanj district.
A key development is the progress in acquiring 7.98 acres of private land spread across Darkuli, Gandarda and Talmedhi villages. The process has now reached the compensation payment stage, while the required forest land clearance has also been secured.
The land acquisition process had remained a major hurdle for the project. With statutory and administrative clearances progressing, the Water Resources Department is now looking to accelerate the remaining preparatory work and take up construction as the required land is made available.
Once completed, the Bankatira Barrage is expected to improve irrigation access, support drinking water requirements and strengthen agricultural activities in the beneficiary areas of Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts.
