Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday accorded approval for the ambitious Mahanadi River Front Development Project. The project aims to transform riverbanks into vibrant cultural, tourism, and ecological hubs.
The project will be implemented over three years (2025–26 to 2027–28) with an estimated outlay of Rs 240 crore, funded entirely from the state government’s resources through the Water Resources Development Department.
Describing the Mahanadi as the lifeline of Odisha, the CM said the initiative would give the riverfront a new identity as a centre for environmental, cultural, and spiritual tourism, while also contributing to the state’s economic growth.
Objectives of the project include developing social and cultural facilities along the riverbanks, promoting water sports, amusement and science parks, and herbal gardens through private partnerships, controlling erosion and river structures, ensuring proper waste disposal to keep the river clean, conserving water to aid drinking supply during scarcity, and rejuvenating the surrounding ecosystem through sustainable resource development.
The project would be executed in two phases. The first phase covers riverbank stretches of the Mahanadi from Mandalia to Chaunrapur in Sambalpur. Facilities like jogging tracks, selfie points, open gyms, improved ghats, bathing and aarti ghats, theme plazas, shopping complexes, parks, parking areas, and toilets would be set up. This phase will involve an investment of ₹160 crore.
The second phase will focus on the Kuakhai and Kushabhadra rivers near Pandara in Bhubaneswar, featuring riverbank ghats, floating jetties, scenic viewpoints along the ring road, lock gates, bridges, internal pedestrian pathways, cafeterias, parking facilities, and toilets. An amount of Rs 80 crore would be spent in the second phase.
The project will play a significant role in integrating tourism, ecology, and community spaces, ensuring that the Mahanadi riverfront evolves into a landmark destination.