Odisha has emerged as India’s leader in Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) loan distribution, successfully acquiring ₹3836.34 crore from NABARD for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
This landmark funding supports an array of crucial projects aimed at enhancing rural livelihoods and infrastructure across the state.
In a High-Powered Committee meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner Anu Garg, key discussions revolved around the successful implementation and future acceleration of rural development schemes under RIDF.
Senior officials from departments including Finance, Water Resources, Panchayati Raj, Agriculture, and Fisheries attended the deliberation at Lok Seva Bhavan.
Key Projects Driving Odisha’s Rural Growth
Among the RIDF-funded ventures, several high-impact projects have already been completed or are in advanced execution stages:
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Instream Storage Structure at Jakameripalli, Ganjam: Constructed across the Ramanadi river, benefiting over 16,500 villagers with a sustainable water supply.
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Haripur Nallah High-Level Bridge, Angul: A ₹39.89 crore project ensuring seamless connectivity and infrastructure enhancement.
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NH-326 to Peta Road, Malkangiri: Rural road expansion under NABARD assistance, improving accessibility and development prospects.
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Mega Piped Water Supply (PWS) Project, Sambalpur: Bringing potable water to 9 Gram Panchayats, covering over 8,500 households.
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Micro River Lift Project (Jalanidhi-2): Boosting agricultural productivity for multiple beneficiary groups.
Future Plans and Expansion
The committee emphasised fast-tracking pending projects, conducting third-party evaluations to ensure quality assurance, and exploring new proposals under the upcoming 2025-26 RIDF framework. NABARD’s assessment indicates satisfactory performance across departments, reinforcing Odisha’s leadership in efficient RIDF utilisation.
With Odisha at the forefront of rural transformation, these initiatives are set to enhance water security, connectivity, agriculture, and sustainable development, positioning the state as a model for effective RIDF implementation in India.
