Cabinet Approves ₹133.19 Crore Lift Irrigation Project for Rayagada, Gajapati

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Saturday approved a ₹133.19 crore lift irrigation project under the Parbati Giri Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme to expand irrigation facilities in Rayagada and Gajapati districts, bringing over 4,050 hectares of agricultural land under assured irrigation.

The project, to be implemented under Cluster No. XXXV, involves the execution of four lift irrigation schemes that will draw water from the Harabhangi and Vansadhara rivers at Dhuapadar, Karanpadu Irrigation Sub-System (ISS) and Pradhaniguda ISS. The water will be lifted through an intake system and supplied to farmlands using a pressurised pipeline network.

The Cabinet approved the lowest financial bid of ₹133.19 crore, excluding GST, for execution of the project. It also sanctioned ₹12.37 crore, excluding GST, towards operation and maintenance of the irrigation system for a period of 15 years. The project is scheduled to be completed within 36 calendar months.

According to the government, the scheme will benefit farmers in 38 villages, including 29 in Rayagada district and nine in Gajapati district. The micro-irrigation-compatible distribution system is expected to promote efficient water use and encourage farmers to diversify from water-intensive paddy cultivation to high-value cash crops.

The project is part of the State government’s flagship Parbati Giri Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme, which has an overall outlay of ₹10,759.20 crore. The scheme aims to provide supplemental kharif irrigation to around 2.64 lakh hectares of upland agricultural land across Odisha by utilising surplus water from rivers, reservoirs and canals that cannot be tapped through conventional gravity-based irrigation systems due to geographical constraints.

Officials said the project is expected to improve agricultural productivity, enhance farmers’ incomes and strengthen the socio-economic condition of upland farming communities in the southern districts. With the Cabinet’s approval, work on Cluster No. XXXV is set to commence to further expand irrigation coverage in southern Odisha.