Odisha Approves Five Instream Storage Projects Worth ₹625 Crore to Strengthen Rural Water Security
- Nearly 72,000 People Across 74 Villages to Benefit from Improved Water Availability
- Projects Across Five Districts to Strengthen Drinking Water Supply, Groundwater Recharge and Rural Livelihoods
Bhubaneswar, 13 November 2026: In a major step towards strengthening water security and climate resilience, the Government of Odisha has accorded administrative approval to five Instream Storage Structure (ISS) projects worth ₹625.47 crore within a month. The projects, spread across Rayagada, Kalahandi, Ganjam, Balangir and Sonepur districts, are expected to benefit nearly 72,000 people across 74 villages through improved water availability, groundwater recharge and support for rural livelihoods.
The five approved projects are Dhuanpadar ISS on the Vansadhara River and Revatiguda ISS on the Nagavali River in Rayagada district; Bhimpur ISS on the Bahuda River in Ganjam district; Muralijore ISS near Nijharidara village in Bhawanipatna block of Kalahandi district; and Kutasingha Barrage across the Ong River, a major tributary of the Mahanadi, benefiting communities in Balangir and Sonepur districts.
These structures will help conserve monsoon water within river channels, ensuring greater availability of water during the lean season. The stored water will also facilitate groundwater recharge, improve the sustainability of wells and borewells and strengthen the resilience of water-stressed communities.
Besides meeting domestic water requirements, the projects will support irrigation, livestock rearing and other rural livelihood activities. Dhuanpadar, Muralijore and Revatiguda projects are also expected to create additional opportunities for fisheries and allied activities, contributing to rural incomes.
The projects form part of the State Government’s strengthened mission-mode approach to the Instream Storage Structure programme since 2024, with a focus on water conservation, sustainable resource management and climate adaptation. By improving water availability and supporting river ecosystems, the initiatives are expected to contribute to long-term water security and ecological resilience.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, the State Government continues to accord priority
