Bhubaneswar: The State Cabinet on Tuesday approved the tender of Rs 105,62,33,960 (Rupees One Hundred Five Crore Sixty-two Lakh Thirty-three Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty) only excluding GST for construction of an In-Stream Water Storage Project for water security in Tustapali village of Bolangir district.
In a major step towards mitigating chronic water scarcity in drought-prone areas of Balangir district, an In-Stream Storage Structure (ISS) across the river Lanth, a tributary of river Tel, is proposed near village Tustapalli of Saintala block. The project is slated for completion within 30 calendar months.
With the South-West Monsoon supplying roughly 90 percent of the region’s rainfall between June and October, vast amounts of runoff currently flow into the sea, leaving the drought-vulnerable area critically undersupplied during dry periods. The new in-stream structure will capture and retain monsoon surface water directly within the riverbed, securing a vital water buffer for the lean season.
Key Highlights: Drought Resilience & Drinking Water: Ensures reliable, year-round drinking water supply for 12 drought-vulnerable villages across Saintala block.
Livelihood Protection: Provides essential water security for livestock, fisheries and rural livelihoods hit hardest by seasonal dry spells.
Groundwater Recharge: Recharges regional aquifers and stabilizes local ecosystem to combat desertification and water depletion.
By trapping seasonal excess, the project builds long-term climate resilience and water security for one of the state’s most drought-sensitive zones.
