To insulate rural communities against seasonal water scarcity and erratic monsoons, the Government of Odisha has granted administrative approval to five major Instream Storage Structure (ISS) projects worth Rs 625.47 crore—all cleared within the span of a single month.
Spanning five districts—Rayagada, Kalahandi, Ganjam, Balangir, and Sonepur—the infrastructure drive is projected to directly benefit nearly 72,000 residents across 74 villages, bolstering drinking water reliability, reviving groundwater tables, and energising rural livelihoods.
The Five Approved Projects
The newly cleared structures target strategic river basins across southern and western Odisha:
-
Dhuanpadar ISS: Across the Vansadhara River in Rayagada district
-
Revatiguda ISS: Across the Nagavali River in Rayagada district
-
Bhimpur ISS: Across the Bahuda River in Ganjam district
-
Muralijore ISS: Near Nijharidara village in Bhawanipatna block of Kalahandi district
-
Kutasingha Barrage: Across the Ong River (a major tributary of the Mahanadi), serving communities across Balangir and Sonepur districts
Turning Monsoon Flows into Year-Round Security
Unlike conventional large dams that require massive land acquisition, instream storage structures retain excess monsoon water directly within existing river channels. By holding back seasonal flows, the projects will ensure dependable water availability during the scorching lean months.
Crucially, the impounded water will act as a natural recharge engine for surrounding aquifers—reviving drying village wells and borewells and offering a vital buffer for water-stressed habitations.
Beyond Drinking Water: Irrigation and Fisheries
While securing domestic water supplies remains the primary goal, the economic ripple effects are expected to extend straight to rural household incomes. Assured water availability will support small-scale irrigation and livestock rearing across the 74 beneficiary villages. Furthermore, the Dhuanpadar, Muralijore, and Revatiguda sites have been identified as prime hubs for inland fisheries and allied aquaculture activities, creating fresh avenues for local employment.
Advancing the ‘Viksit Odisha’ Vision
The rapid approvals underscore the state government’s accelerated, mission-mode execution of the Instream Storage Structure programme—expanded under ISS 2.0 to strengthen climate adaptation and river ecosystem health. Spearheaded under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the initiative reflects Odisha’s broader strategy to build decentralised, sustainable water infrastructure and move steadily toward the goal of a water-secure Viksit Odisha.
