Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has approved tenders worth Rs 289.68 crore for the implementation of seven mega lift irrigation schemes in Nuapada district, aimed at expanding irrigation facilities across rain-dependent agricultural areas and improving farmers’ access to assured water supply.
The schemes, being undertaken under Cluster XXVIII of the Parbati Giri Mega Lift Irrigation Project, are expected to create an additional irrigation potential of 8,800 hectares across 59 villages in Boden, Sinapali and Komna blocks.
The seven projects include Boden, Borigaon, Khairmal, Lasunpali, Gandabahal, Chaura and Konabira. They will draw water from the Udanti River and Lower Indra Reservoir to irrigate upland agricultural areas that are difficult to cover through conventional gravity-based irrigation systems.
According to the Water Resources Department, the State Cabinet has approved an execution cost of Rs 268.22 crore, while another Rs 21.46 crore has been earmarked for operation and maintenance over 15 years. The projects will be fully funded by the state government and are scheduled for completion within 36 months.
The proposed schemes will introduce modern pressurised irrigation systems, with underground pipelines supplying water up to the one-hectare chak level. The system is expected to minimise water losses and facilitate micro-irrigation, thereby improving water-use efficiency and irrigation reliability.
The initiative is also expected to enhance agricultural productivity and encourage crop diversification, particularly during the kharif season, while reducing farmers’ dependence on rainfall.
The projects form part of the state’s efforts to strengthen irrigation infrastructure and promote sustainable agricultural development in drought-prone and rain-dependent regions.
