Bhubaneswar: The Upper Lanth Medium Irrigation Project is set to improve irrigation facilities in drought-prone Belpada Block of Balangir district, with a planned irrigation coverage of 4,700 hectares of cultivable land and an annual irrigation potential of 6,105 hectares across Kharif and Rabi seasons.
The project aims to provide farmers with more reliable access to water, enabling cultivation beyond the monsoon season and improving agricultural productivity. It is designed to create irrigation potential over 3,990 hectares during Kharif and 2,115 hectares during Rabi, thereby increasing cropping intensity and strengthening farm-based livelihoods in the region.
A major component of the project is the construction of a spillway across the Lanth River near Chikili village in Patnagarh subdivision at an estimated cost of ₹143.98 crore. The 108-metre-long spillway will have seven radial gates to regulate reservoir levels and facilitate the safe discharge of excess water during periods of high inflow.
The spillway will play a crucial role in reservoir management by ensuring optimum water storage during normal conditions and controlled discharge during high-flow periods. It will also help protect downstream areas and riverine infrastructure while maintaining water availability for irrigation and drinking purposes during lean seasons.
The project also includes an earth-fill dam and an extensive canal distribution network. The 16.08-km Left Main Canal and 6.66-km Right Main Canal will facilitate the distribution of stored water across the command area, extending irrigation benefits to farmers in the region.
Apart from supporting agriculture, the project has provisions to meet the drinking water requirements of local communities. An allocation of 2.19 million cubic metres of surface water has been earmarked for villages within the command area. This integrated approach is expected to improve water security for both farming and household needs.
The foundation stone of the project was laid on November 2, 2024. Its inclusion among four new irrigation projects in Odisha’s Agriculture Budget for 2025-26 reflects the State Government’s focus on strengthening irrigation infrastructure and supporting agricultural development.
Following the grant of administrative approval, the tendering process for the project is currently underway.
Once completed, the Upper Lanth Medium Irrigation Project is expected to significantly improve agricultural prospects in Belpada Block by expanding irrigation coverage, supporting multiple cropping seasons and ensuring better access to water. The project is also expected to strengthen climate resilience and rural livelihoods, contributing to the State’s vision of Viksit Odisha.
