In a swift and coordinated response to infrastructure damage caused by recent flooding, the Department of Water Resources, Government of Odisha, has launched a mission-mode restoration project at the Janivili Anicut.
Recognised as a critical asset that sustains the drinking water supply to Berhampur city and its adjoining areas, the project has been accorded top priority to safeguard the daily needs of lakhs of residents.
The flood event necessitated immediate intervention, leading the department to formulate a comprehensive rehabilitation plan. Current efforts are intensely focused on strengthening the vulnerable left-side abutment while repairing both the upstream and downstream aprons. These measures are essential to guarantee the long-term structural integrity and functionality of the anicut.
As an immediate protective step, upstream stone dumping is actively underway to divert river water safely toward the WATCO cofferdam, ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the city’s temporary drinking water system. Simultaneously, heavy machinery, specialised materials, and skilled manpower have been mobilised on a war footing by the Odisha Construction Corporation Limited (OCCL). Working under the strict technical supervision of the Water Resources Department, OCCL is executing multiple simultaneous construction activities to drastically cut down completion timelines.
Janivili Anicut remains the cornerstone of Berhampur’s municipal water security. Managed by WATCO, the regional water supply network acts as the city’s primary lifeline, pumping approximately 90 million litres per day (MLD) to nearly 70,000 households and benefiting a population exceeding 500,000 people.
Through continuous round-the-clock monitoring, rapid resource mobilisation, and inter-agency coordination, the Odisha government continues to demonstrate its steadfast commitment to strengthening public infrastructure resilience and ensuring the uncompromised delivery of essential civic services.
