Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Friday approved the tender for the execution of the concrete dam and spillway component structure of the Chheligada Irrigation Project in Gajapati district.
The project, to be implemented at a cost of Rs 151.78 crore, aims to harness the water resources of the Badajore river, a tributary of the Vansadhara river, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.
The project involves the construction of a 266m-long concrete dam with a central spillway featuring seven radial gates. The project is expected to be completed within 18 months.
The Chheligada Irrigation Project will have multiple benefits, including irrigation of 6260 hectares of land in Gajapati and Ganjam districts, provision of 31.54 million cubic meters of water for drinking and domestic purposes for Berhampur town, promotion of fishery development and livestock farming, replenishment of groundwater levels, and generation of 36 MW of hydroelectricity.
In another significant decision, the Cabinet approved a proposal to exempt an additional land premium amounting to Rs 2,60,82,000 for the lease of government land in favour of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for infrastructure development.
The exemption pertains to a revenue plot bearing number 4 (part), measuring 0.644 acres (approximately 26 decimals), classified as “Unnat Jojana Jogya” and recorded under Government Khata No. 619, situated in Mouza Unit No. 41 of Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar.
The land will be used by the NCB for the construction of a dedicated office building.