Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Unveils Irrigation Projects Worth Over Rs 3,000 Crore in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a slew of irrigation projects collectively valued at more than Rs 3,000 crore during a ceremony on Saturday.

The inauguration comprised six projects with a cumulative cost of Rs 131 crore spread across four districts, while foundation stones were laid for an additional 46 projects in 15 districts, with an estimated expenditure of Rs 2,906 crore. The grand total for these ventures stands at Rs 3,037 crore.

Among the key inaugurated projects was the Kusumi barrage in Nayagarh, constructed at a cost of Rs 70.88 crore. The barrage is set to irrigate 9,254 acres of land, benefiting 1.5 lakh people across 49 villages spanning three blocks in the district. Additionally, the barrage will supply irrigation water to five minor irrigation projects.

Furthermore, the foundation stone was laid for the Hadu dam, valued at Rs 265.24 crore, and its underground pipelines, costing Rs 195.89 crore, in Cuttack district. This ambitious project is expected to irrigate 8,997 acres across 86 villages, providing drinking water to 293 villages and generating 1 MW of electricity.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his unwavering commitment to prioritizing agriculture and the welfare of farmers. He highlighted various schemes aimed at supporting farmers, including interest-free loans up to Rs 1 lakh, free crop insurance, and KALIA scholarships for the children of farmers. The government has also implemented initiatives like Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha, BSKY, and LAccMI to benefit the rural population, furthering its commitment to the welfare of farmers and agricultural development.