Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has announced that his government intends to spend Rs 750 billion over the next five years on the development of water resources in Odisha.
Patnaik has also directed the water resources department to formulate a comprehensive policy on rivers within three months.
The state government aims to construct a host of barrages on the Mahanadi river to store water that can cater to agriculture and drinking water needs of the people. The barrages will be built to ensure there are minimal or zero displacements.
The water resources department is working on a master plan to utilise Mahanadi river waters