Odisha Clears ₹150.63-Crore Ring Road and Embankment Project in Sundargarh
New Ib River Protection Work Aims to Reduce Flooding, Improve Connectivity
Bhubaneswar: In a major push to strengthen flood protection and connectivity in western Odisha, the state government has granted administrative approval for constructing a ring road and embankment along the Ib river in Sundargarh town. The project, sanctioned under the Comprehensive Flood Management (CFM) programme, will cost ₹150.63 crore and will be implemented during the 2025–26 financial year.
Government Nod for Long-Pending Project
The Water Resources Department, in a letter dated November 4, informed the Engineer-in-Chief about the approval for the river protection work and ring road on the left bank of the Ib river, stretching from Bhojpur to Bandhpali. The project aims to safeguard vulnerable pockets of Sundargarh town that frequently experience inundation during heavy monsoon spells.
The government has also clarified that expenditure will be made strictly under the CFM scheme and is contingent upon statutory budget availability—at least 15 percent of the project’s estimated cost. The Finance Department has already provided its concurrence. The approval follows a detailed proposal submitted earlier by the department’s engineering wing.
Tackling Recurrent Flooding
For years, residents of low-lying areas such as Ranibagicha, the Mahadev temple locality, Mahantipada, and Aryan Nagar have suffered from Ib river overflows that flood homes and disrupt essential services. Local water sources have also been compromised, with floodwater polluting the intake point of WATCO’s pump house.
Sundargarh MLA Jogesh Singh of the BJD said the project is crucial for public safety and infrastructure resilience. He noted that the ring road would protect residential zones from annual flooding while creating a direct link to State Highway-10. This connectivity will substantially cut travel time for people in Tangarpali, Lefripada, and Hemgir blocks.
Singh added that he has been raising the demand since 2011, including multiple interventions in the Odisha Legislative Assembly. He urged the government to ensure immediate release of funds so the project can move to the ground without delay.
Political Leaders Welcome the Move
Former Sundargarh MLA Kusum Tete of the BJP welcomed the decision and praised Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. She said the “double-engine government” has acted on a longstanding local need that was overlooked by previous administrations.
According to her, the ring road and embankment will address both flood-related vulnerabilities and regional development aspirations. The project is expected to benefit thousands of residents by improving safety, easing mobility, and expanding Sundargarh’s urban infrastructure.
A Step Toward Safer Urban Growth
Once completed, the new embankment and road are expected to offer multi-layered benefits—protecting habitations, supporting uninterrupted water supply services, enhancing transport links, and contributing to planned growth of Sundargarh.
For a region that has faced repeated flood-related disruption, the project marks a significant forward move toward long-term resilience and improved quality of life.
