Odisha Accelerates Irrigation Push in Keonjhar as Kanupur Project Nears Milestone

Keonjhar: With a renewed focus on water security and agricultural expansion, the Odisha government is fast-tracking the completion of the long-delayed Kanupur Irrigation Project in Keonjhar district. During a two-day visit on May 4, Anu Garg, IAS, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the Department of Water Resources, conducted an extensive review of the project’s progress and set clear timelines for its completion.

As part of her visit, Garg inspected critical infrastructure, including the dam, spillway, canal systems, and gate works, and convened a high-level review meeting with senior officials. The meeting was attended by the District Magistrate and Collector of Keonjhar, Engineer-in-Chief of Water Resources, Managing Director of OCC, Chief Engineer (Designs), and the Chief Construction Engineer of the Kanupur Project, along with officers from various arms of the Water Resources Department.

The Kanupur project, which has been under development for over two decades, is set to become the first major irrigation project in the Baitarani River system. Once operational, it will not only moderate flood situations in the basin but also bring irrigation to nearly 30,000 hectares and provide vital drinking water to parts of Odisha’s mineral-rich belt.

The ACS issued specific directives for completing the spillway by July 2025 and ensuring Kharif irrigation over 13,000 hectares in the current agricultural season. She stressed the need for optimal use of existing water resources, expansion of ayacut areas where surplus water is available, and the adoption of new irrigation initiatives to meet long-term goals under Vision Odisha 2036.

Recognizing the water-scarce nature of the Baitarani Basin, Smt. Garg proposed interlinking minor irrigation projects through a cascading model to facilitate water transfer and equitable distribution. She also called for a comprehensive storage policy, urging departments to develop outlets from canal systems to recharge ponds and tanks beyond traditional irrigation boundaries.

The review also covered updates from various wings of the Water Resources Department, including Major & Medium Irrigation, Megalift, Minor Irrigation, Ground Water, and OLIC. Each sector shared progress and action plans aligned with the state’s broader irrigation goals.