Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to construct 13 barrages and in-stream storage structures (ISSs) on different rivers for the preservation of river water. A decision to this effect was taken Friday after a meeting was conducted among officials of IDCO, IPICOL and the Odisha Water Resources Department (OWRD) through video conferencing.
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OWRD chief engineer Jyotirmaya Rath told mediapersons that approximately Rs 1,000 crore would be spent in the current fiscal for the construction of barrages. A high-level committee including officials from Nabard has sanctioned the funds required, Rath informed.
The decision to build the barrages was taken to minimise the gap in availability of water between monsoon and non-monsoon seasons. “We have chalked out plans for in-stream storage of river water for next six years, including construction of some barrages,” the chief engineer informed.
Rath said the move will ensure uninterrupted water supply for industries. “It will also decrease rehabilitation problems as there will not be any evacuation of people due to floods. The waters from the proposed barrages could be used for industrial, farmland irrigation and drinking purposes as well,” Rath said.
PNN
