The Odisha government has announced a Rs 239.13 crore investment to renovate and restore a 42.606 km stretch of the Upper Indravati Right Main Canal in Kalahandi district.
Executed under the state’s Canal Lining and System Rehabilitation Programme, the project targets Reach-II of the canal—spanning chainage 41.100 km to 83.706 km—to minimise water seepage and boost irrigation efficiency across a 27,195-hectare command area.
Designed to curb transmission losses and enhance water-carrying capacity, the structural rehabilitation and canal lining will directly benefit farming communities across Jaipatna, Kalampur, and Junagarh. Currently, the network irrigates 25,846 hectares during the Kharif season and 20,074 hectares in the Rabi season. Upgrading this stretch will ensure dependable water delivery, particularly for tail-end farmers who often face supply deficits during critical cropping windows.
The Right Main Canal is a vital artery of the Upper Indravati Multipurpose Project, one of Odisha’s flagship water infrastructure assets. The multipurpose system diverts water from the Indravati River in the Godavari basin to the Hati River in the Mahanadi basin. Beyond generating 600 MW of hydropower at the Mukhiguda Powerhouse, the diverted water flows to the Mangalpur Barrage before feeding Kalahandi’s expansive agricultural canal network.
By modernising Reach-II, the state government aims to safeguard the long-term performance of the Upper Indravati system and promote sustainable agricultural growth. With reduced conveyance losses and improved water distribution, farmers in Kalahandi will be better equipped to plan their seasonal cultivation with greater certainty and higher productivity.
