Bhubaneswar, 10 April (H.S.): The Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, approved a series of new lift irrigation projects under the Parbati Giri Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme on Friday. This initiative aims to enhance irrigation access and improve the livelihoods of farmers in the state's upland regions.

With a total budget of ₹10,759.20 crore, the scheme is designed to provide supplemental irrigation during the kharif season by lifting surplus water from rivers, reservoirs, and canals to areas that have been unable to access conventional irrigation due to geographical constraints. The initiative targets approximately 2.63 lakh hectares of upland ayacut across Odisha.

In its recent decisions, the Cabinet approved projects in the districts of Sambalpur, Sonepur, Jajpur, and the Keonjhar–Mayurbhanj cluster.

In Sambalpur, four lift irrigation schemes under Cluster -27 were approved to create an additional irrigation potential of about 6,210 hectares. Water will be drawn from the Hirakud Dam and distributed through a pressurised system. The project has been awarded to Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd at a cost exceeding ₹204 crore, with an additional ₹16.33 crore allocated for operation and maintenance over 15 years. The project is expected to be completed within 36 months and will benefit 54 villages.

In Sonepur, four schemes under Cluster 30 will irrigate around 6,025 hectares by lifting water from the Tel River and its confluence points. The project, estimated at about ₹170 crore, includes ₹13.61 crore for long-term maintenance and is expected to benefit 47 villages within a 36-month timeline.

Similarly, in Jajpur district, four schemes under Cluster 37 were approved to cover nearly 5,950 hectares. Water will be sourced from the Kharasua River and the Brahmani River. The project is estimated to cost ₹158.86 crore, with ₹12.70 crore earmarked for maintenance over 15 years, benefiting around 73 villages.

For the Keonjhar–Mayurbhanj cluster, three schemes under Cluster 38 will irrigate approximately 4,280 hectares. Water sources include the Kanpur Main Canal, Ardei Nadi, and Balisudra River. The total project cost is estimated at ₹92.98 crore, with ₹7.48 crore set aside for maintenance. These projects are scheduled for completion within 24 months and will benefit 33 villages.

The initiative is expected to encourage farmers to diversify from water-intensive paddy cultivation to more remunerative cash crops, supported by micro-irrigation systems. Overall, the projects aim to enhance agricultural productivity, increase farm incomes, and strengthen rural livelihoods across the targeted regions.

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda