Odisha Reviews Progress of Major Irrigation Projects in Kanupur, Subarnarekha and Anandpur

Development Commissioner Anu Garg directs speedy completion to boost agricultural output before Rabi season

Bhubaneswar : The Odisha government conducted a high-level review of three key irrigation projects — Kanupur, Subarnarekha, and Anandpur — aimed at strengthening the state’s agricultural infrastructure and improving water availability for farmers. Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary (Water Resources) Anu Garg chaired the meeting held at the Department of Water Resources conference hall, where senior engineers and project officials presented updates on the progress of each project.

During the review, officials reported that the Kanupur Irrigation Project, one of Odisha’s major multipurpose water projects, is nearing completion. The headworks are almost ready except for the depletion sluice and erection of a few gates, which were delayed due to early monsoon rains this year. Despite the weather-related setbacks, the main canal has achieved 94 percent completion, while the distribution system has reached around 75 percent progress.

Once operational, the Kanupur project will provide irrigation to nearly 12,000 hectares of agricultural land during the upcoming Rabi season. The project is expected to significantly benefit farmers in drought-prone regions, improving crop productivity and ensuring water security.

Anu Garg emphasized the need to expedite the remaining construction works to meet the irrigation targets. “The project must be completed before the Rabi season so that farmers can fully benefit from its irrigation potential,” she instructed officials.

The Subarnarekha Irrigation Project, another major initiative under the state’s water resources expansion programme, has achieved full completion of its first phase. The second phase, which aims to enhance irrigation coverage and improve distribution efficiency, is progressing steadily.

Officials informed that the main canal and distribution networks are functioning effectively in Phase-I areas, ensuring better water management across several blocks. Once the second phase is completed, the project is expected to further enhance irrigation potential and benefit farmers in the Baitarani South region.

“The Subarnarekha project is critical to boosting irrigation coverage in northern Odisha. With Phase-I fully complete and Phase-II on track, we aim to ensure timely water delivery to farmlands,” Garg said during the review.

The Anandpur Barrage Project, designed to provide assured irrigation to thousands of hectares across Keonjhar and Bhadrak districts, is also showing strong progress. The Link Canal, which connects key command areas, has already been completed. The Baitarani Right Bank Canal and Salandi Left Main Canal are in the final stages of construction, expected to be operational soon.

Officials reported that nearly 12,000 hectares of ayacut (irrigated command area) have already been developed under the project. Work on additional distribution systems is underway and progressing rapidly.

Garg commended the engineers and field staff for their efforts but urged them to maintain strict timelines to ensure completion before the next agricultural cycle. “These irrigation projects are essential for improving farmers’ livelihoods and achieving our agricultural growth targets. Timely completion is non-negotiable,” she said.

The review underscored the state government’s commitment to expanding irrigation coverage as part of its broader strategy to enhance agricultural productivity and rural development. Once completed, the Kanupur, Subarnarekha, and Anandpur projects are expected to provide irrigation benefits to over 36,000 hectares combined, transforming agricultural prospects across several districts.

Officials from the Water Resources Department stated that continuous monitoring and inter-departmental coordination have been strengthened to address field-level challenges, including land acquisition, canal alignment, and monsoon disruptions.

The Development Commissioner directed officials to prioritize quality control and safety measures in ongoing canal works and ensure farmers are informed about irrigation schedules in advance. She also instructed the department to prepare progress reports on a monthly basis for submission to the Chief Minister’s Office.

With these projects nearing completion, Odisha is poised to make significant strides toward water security and sustainable agricultural growth, particularly in its rain-fed and drought-prone regions.