Chheligada Dam Project Gets Green Light as Odisha Cabinet Pushes Infrastructure and Security Initiatives

Bhubaneswar: The state Cabinet has approved the construction of the concrete dam and spillway structure for the Chheligada Irrigation Project in Gajapati district. The ₹151.78 crore project will harness the Badajore river, a tributary of the Vansadhara, and is expected to be completed within 18 months.

According to Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, the project will involve building a 266-metre-long concrete dam with a central spillway featuring seven radial gates. The infrastructure is designed to meet multiple developmental objectives, including irrigation, drinking water supply, groundwater replenishment, and power generation.

Once operational, the dam will irrigate approximately 6,260 hectares of farmland across Gajapati and Ganjam districts, while also ensuring the supply of 31.54 million cubic meters of water for Berhampur’s domestic and drinking needs. In addition, it will promote fishery activities, support livestock development, and generate 36 MW of hydroelectric power—contributing to sustainable growth in the region.

In a separate decision, the Cabinet also approved the exemption of ₹2.6 crore in additional land premium charges for the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to facilitate infrastructure development in Bhubaneswar. The land, located in Chandrasekharpur, spans 0.644 acres and is classified as “Unnat Jojana Jogya” under Government Khata No. 619.