Bhubaneswar, 13 November (H.S.): The Upper Lanth Medium Irrigation Project is set to transform agricultural prospects in drought-prone Belpada Block of Balangir district by providing assured irrigation to 4,700 hectares of cultivable land and generating an annual irrigation potential of 6,105 hectares across Kharif and Rabi seasons.

According to the Water Resources Department, the project will provide irrigation to 3,990 hectares during Kharif and 2,115 hectares during Rabi, reducing farmers' dependence on monsoon rainfall. Improved water availability is expected to increase cropping intensity, boost agricultural productivity and strengthen the livelihoods of farming communities.

A major component of the project is the construction of a 108-metre-long spillway across the Lanth River near Chikili village in Patnagarh subdivision at an estimated cost of ₹143.98 crore. The spillway will have seven radial gates to regulate reservoir water levels and facilitate the safe discharge of excess water during periods of heavy inflow.

The Water Resources Department said the spillway would play a crucial role in ensuring efficient water storage and regulation, protecting downstream areas and maintaining water availability for irrigation and drinking purposes during lean seasons.

The project also includes an earth-fill dam and a distribution network comprising a 16.08-km Left Main Canal and a 6.66-km Right Main Canal. These canals will carry stored water to agricultural fields across the command area.

Giving equal importance to drinking water security, the project has earmarked 2.19 million cubic metres of surface water to meet the requirements of villages within the command area.

The department highlighted that the integrated irrigation and drinking water provisions would strengthen water security in the drought-prone region and support sustainable agricultural development. Once operational, the project is expected to give fresh impetus to the rural economy of Balangir district by improving irrigation access and enhancing farmers' income prospects.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda