Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet has approved a slew of initiatives with an aim to boost fisheries production, improve urban infrastructure, support students and farmers, and create employment opportunities across the state.
The state Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday, approved a total of 16 proposals pertaining to 11 delpartments.
Among the key decisions are a Rs 500 crore scheme to address urban waterlogging, free textbooks for students of Classes 9 and 10, the restructuring of the fisheries service cadre, and the development of a fishing harbour at Astaranga in Puri district.
In order to address the problem of frequent waterlogging and flooding in several urban areas, the Cabinet approved the Urban Storm Water Drainage Management and Improvement Programme (USWDMIP) with an outlay of Rs 500 crore, Chief Secretary Anu Garg told reporters.
The USWDMIP will be implemented over five years, from the financial year 2026-27 to 2030-31, using the state government’s own resources.
The programme aims to address the growing pressure on existing drainage infrastructure caused by rapid urbanisation and the expansion of peri-urban areas. Frequent waterlogging and localised flooding have emerged as major challenges, also raising concerns over public health and safety.
As part of the scheme, urban local bodies (ULBs) and selected block headquarters will be covered. The planned interventions include desilting existing drains, constructing reinforced cement concrete (RCC) stormwater drains, covering drains, restoring natural drainage channels and connecting them with suitable water bodies.
These measures are expected to improve the capacity and efficiency of urban drainage systems and reduce the frequency of waterlogging and flooding during heavy rainfall.
The programme is also aimed at improving drainage capacity, promoting groundwater recharge and enhancing public safety and environmental quality. It is expected to strengthen climate-resilient urban development by improving the ability of towns and selected block headquarters to manage stormwater.
With a five-year implementation period, the scheme is intended to strengthen drainage infrastructure and provide a more sustainable solution to recurring urban flooding across Odisha.
The Cabinet also approved a Rs133.8 crore fishing harbour at Astaranga. The facility will provide safe berthing and landing facilities for around 1,960 mechanised fishing vessels, improve marine safety and help reduce post-harvest losses.
To help farmers access essential agricultural inputs, the government has approved a Rs1,360 crore scheme over four years for fertiliser and seed management.
Of the total amount, Rs 960 crore will be allocated to MARKFED and Rs 400 crore to the Odisha State Seeds Corporation. The move is expected to help the state meet farmers’ fertiliser and seed requirements more effectively.
The Cabinet has also cleared Rs 450 crore for skill development programmes targeting 4.2 lakh youths, with the aim of improving their employment prospects.
The Mahanadi riverfront in Kataka will be developed into a public space and tourist attraction, with facilities including parks, a waterfront promenade, landscaping and an open-air theatre.
The project will also include the development of existing water bodies and provisions for five years of operation and maintenance. Work is scheduled to begin on November 26, and the project is expected to be completed within two years.
The Cabinet has approved a Rs 105 crore in-stream storage structure on the Tel River at Tustapali village in Balangir district. The project is expected to be completed within two and a half years and will help conserve water and recharge groundwater in water-scarce areas.
A disaster recovery facility and data centre will also be established in Kendujhar at a cost of more than Rs 176 crore.
Other decisions include amendments to the Odisha Industrial Policy 2022 concerning stamp duty on company mergers and restructuring, as well as changes to the Odisha Diploma Engineers Service cadre.
