Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has completed 10 In-Stream Storage Structures (ISS) under its ISS 2.0 initiative, creating a combined designed water storage capacity of around 1.10 crore cubic metres (11 billion litres) and benefiting an estimated 1.82 lakh people across more than 122 villages.
The scheme, being implemented in mission mode under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, aims to strengthen water conservation and ensure long-term water security across the state.
The Department of Water Resources has undertaken 89 projects in four phases to improve water availability, support agriculture and strengthen rural livelihoods.
The completed structures are located at Julko in Kalahandi, Chhatamakhana in Balangir, Jakamarapalli, Dholapita and Dhanei in Ganjam, Mahulpali in Baragada, Saptamatruka in Jajpur, and Gochara, Kirasasan and Budharaja in Sambalpur.
Meanwhile, 22 projects are under construction in 13 districts, with Sundargarh accounting for five and Khordha for three. Another 35 projects are in the pipeline, including 12 scheduled to begin shortly.
The initiative seeks to conserve excess monsoon river flows through scientifically designed storage structures and make the water available during lean periods. The stored water is expected to facilitate irrigation, groundwater recharge, drinking-water supply, fisheries and other livelihood activities.
The projects are also aimed at improving the capacity of rural communities to cope with water scarcity and erratic rainfall.
With projects at various stages of completion and implementation, ISS 2.0 is expected to expand Odisha’s water-conservation infrastructure and strengthen water security across rural areas.
