Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has unveiled an ambitious plan to enhance irrigation capacity across the state by prioritizing water conservation and management. A comprehensive roadmap has been laid out to construct 80 new Minor Irrigation Projects (MIPs) and 3,000 check dams over the next five years, with the goal of creating irrigation potential for an additional 15 lakh hectares of farmland.
In a high-level review meeting chaired by Development Commissioner –cum-Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, senior officials of the Water Resources Department evaluated ongoing and proposed projects. The discussion emphasized efforts to ensure water reaches farmers at the tail end of canals, with a focus on inclusive and efficient water distribution.
The government is actively investing in various irrigation modes—major, medium, minor, lift irrigation systems, and mega lift projects—while giving special attention to MIPs, which have made a notable contribution to expanding irrigation coverage in the state.
Key factors such as water availability, soil type, cropping patterns, community needs, and local geographical features will guide the identification of sites for the upcoming projects. Officials stressed the integration of minor irrigation with other systems and the use of knowledge-based tools for efficient water management.
The strategy marks a major step toward achieving the Chief Minister’s budget commitment to strengthen Odisha’s irrigation network and support sustainable agriculture.
