Odisha Cabinet Greenlights Key Irrigation Project for Agricultural Boost

The Odisha Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has sanctioned three tenders totaling more than Rs 358 crore for the Integrated Anandpur Barrage Project (IABP). This major venture aims to provide irrigation to roughly 15,765 hectares of agricultural terrain in the Balasore and Keonjhar districts.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg announced the approval, emphasizing the project's significance for the Baitarani River. The IABP is expected to benefit 60,000 hectares of farmland, using a combination of open canals and underground gravity flow pipelines to avoid land acquisition challenges. Three out of nine planned pipeline packages have received tender approval.

The ambitious project is projected to conclude within 24 months. Additionally, the cabinet has endorsed a proposal to establish rules for the Odisha Employees State Insurance Scheme Radiographer Service, ensuring a structured framework for radiographers in the state's ESI system by 2026.