Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Saturday approved five key proposals, including tenders for underground pipeline distribution systems for Integrated Anandpur Barrage Project on the Brahmani river.
Briefing the media after the meeting, Chief Secretary Anu Garg said the three proposals pertain to the execution, operation, and maintenance of the project.
A flagship initiative for intra-basin transfer of water, it aims to irrigate 60,000 hectares of cultivated land across Hatadihi, Anandapur and Ghasipura blocks in Keonjhar district and Oupada, Nilagiri, Bahanaga, Balasore Sadar, Remuna and Soro in Balasore district. While barrage construction, strengthening of the Salandi river system, and initial distribution for 3,000 hectares through open canals have already been completed, modern underground pipelines have been proposed for the remaining 57,000 hectares of command area to overcome land acquisition delays for traditional open canals.
The Cabinet approvals focus on several segments along the Salandi Left Main Canal (SLMC) with works to be completed on an EPC-Turnkey basis within 24 months, primarily benefiting agricultural blocks in Balasore district.
In April 2025, the state cabinet had approved Rs 108 crore for the project.
A proposal from the Labour and Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Department for framing the Odisha Employees’ State Insurance Scheme Radiographer Service (Methods of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2026, and another from the Finance Department related to the State Budget for 2026–27 got the go-ahead in the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi this evening. “Detailed information on the budget proposal will be presented during the upcoming session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly,” Garg added.
For the first time, the Budget, according to sources, is likely to cross Rs 3 lakh crore. The Chief Minister will present the Budget in the Assembly on February 20.
