Cuttack: The water resources department has initiated the process to dredge a 1,500 metre long islet-like formation in Mahanadi river here to ensure smooth flow of floodwater during rainy season.
The department has prepared an estimate of `220 crore for the project. “We will invite tenders for dredging the massive islet. Apart from the dredging work, stone packaging will be carried out at some weak spots on the embankments,” said a Mahanadi barrage division official.
Dredging work will start soon after the dismantling of a British-era barrage on the river. The water resources department had started dismantling the old barrage in December last year.
The Indian Oil Corporation Limited, which is now sourcing water for its oil refinery at Paradip, had agreed to pay `27 crore for the project. The Orissa Construction Company (OCC) was roped in for the project.
The Britishers had constructed the barrage in 1882 to facilitate irrigation and water conservation. However, the barrage created hurdle in the smooth flow of water during rainy season which led to deposition of silt and sand on Mahanadi riverbed.
“At least 43 pillars of the barrage have been dismantled so far. We hope the remaining structure will be removed from the riverbed within a month,” said senior OCC manager Binod Kumar Patra.
The water resources department had engaged experts from IIT-Madras to conduct a detail survey on the massive islet and suggest measures to dredge it. “A blueprint has been prepared to dredge the islet. OCC will start dredging work in a couple of months,” said Mahanadi barrage division executive engineer Sagar Mohanty.
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