The State Cabinet has approved ‘Building Odisha’s Irrigation Project Tourism Amenities (BOITA)’, a ₹650 crore initiative aimed at preserving Odisha’s rich irrigation heritage and linking historic irrigation structures with tourism and regional development.
The scheme will be implemented by the Water Resources Department over five years, from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
The initiative seeks to preserve and revive historic irrigation structures, showcase Odisha’s traditional water-management practices and create socio-economic opportunities around its heritage assets. Odisha’s irrigation heritage, spanning its ancient maritime traditions and historic irrigation structures built during the British and early post-Independence periods, reflects the State’s distinctive historical, cultural and engineering legacy.
Under BOITA, historic buildings and structures will be taken up for adaptive reuse, while their original water systems will be stabilised and revived. Necessary infrastructure development will also be undertaken to ensure the sustainable utilisation of these heritage assets.
“The ‘BOITA’ scheme will mark a new chapter in preserving Odisha’s irrigation heritage while connecting it with the people, tourism and regional development,” said Smt. Subha Sarma, Principal Secretary, Water Resources Department.
