Rejuvenation of Suka-Paika River put on track

Bhubaneswar: Suka-Paika drainage channel, typically called “ the dead-river” in Mahanadi delta region of Cuttack district will soon be enlivened through complete rejuvenation. This was discussed in a high-level meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra in Lokseba Bhawan conference hall wherein Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Water Resources Smt Anu Garg outlined the technical, administrative and financial issues for discussion.

Considering various contours of the proposal, Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra directed the department to soon float the tender for the renovation of the channel. The target was set to complete the renovation within 18 months. Sri Mahapatra asked Engineers of the department to keep the renovated channel filled with water throughout the year so that farmers on both sides could utilize the water for irrigation purposes. Chief Secretary also directed to carefully schedule the timing of the project implementation for avoiding any possible ingress of high flood water from Mahanadi. It was decided to construct 4 bridges connecting village roads from both sides of the channel. The estimated cost of around Rs.49.67 cr was accorded in-principle approval in the meeting.

ACS Smt Garg appraised that the channel originated from River Mahanadi’s right embankment near the village Ayatpur. After traversing about 30.45 kms across 21 Gram Panchayats in Cuttack Sadar, Nishintakoili and Raghunathpur Blocks of Cuttack district, the channel again merged in River Mahanadi at Bankala near Tarapur. Mouth of the natural channel was closed in the 1950s as a high-flood control measure. Renovation of the channel would yield multi-sided outcomes from the viewpoints of the creation of irrigational potential, growing of cash crops, fishing activities, and restoration of the eco-system.