Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is planning to undertake dredging operations in several rivers as part of efforts to improve water discharge and flood management.
Sharing this information on Thursday, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said that rivers in districts like Jajpur, Baleshwar and Bhadrak are expected to be dredged.
Stressing that the aim is to improve water discharge and reduce flood risks, he said the department is studying water drainage methods used in Goa and Kerala and has assigned work to some agencies.
Officials said a long-term flood mitigation and river-cleaning initiative, focusing on clearing blockages, desilting, and deepening riverbeds will go a long way in tackling recurring floods across the state.
This apart, targeted riverbed and estuary dredging operations will also play a key role in combating severe summer drinking water shortages, mitigate agricultural water-logging, and clear heavily silted navigation channels for local fishing communities.
River dredging projects will focus on clearing silt, improving water flow, and preventing floods or drinking water shortages.
