Orissa to strengthen dam network

Bhubaneswar: The Orissa government has decided to strengthen and build up capacity of major, medium and minor dams across the state to ensure their safety and better performance.

For the purpose it has sought assistance of the World Bank for the Rs 134 crore dam rehabilitation and improvement project.

The state water resources department has already sent the proposal to the World Bank for consideration. A team of the World Bank official is expected to visit the state on 26th of this month to discuss with the state officials about this project, sources said.

The project, among other things, envisages enhancing the capacity of the dams, setting up of quality control laboratories, providing basic safety facilities, improvement of dam infrastructure, construction and improvement of the existing approach roads, strengthening the communication and information system.

While Rs 11 crore is proposed to be spent on institutional strengthening in the form of dam safety organisation and setting up of quality control laboratories for minor irrigation dams, other dam projects in the major, medium and minor categories are proposed to be taken up for rehabilitation.

Sources said, Rs 36.6 crore is proposed to be spent on major project dams like Balimela, Hirakud, Rengali, Salandi and upper Kolab. Similarly, work on the medium project dams will be taken up at Budhabudhiani, Dadarghati, Daha, Derjang, Dhanei, Kalo, Nesa, Pilasalki, Pitamahal, Salia, Sarafgarh, Satiguda and Talsara. This will cost about Rs 44.9 crore.

Besides, work on 38 minor irrigation dam projects will be taken up in locations like Alikuan, Arikul, Ashok Nalla, Bagjharan dam, Balaskumpa, Banksal, Bhetabar, Chamundia, Deojharan, Domkutch, Jagadala, Kalakala, Kodigram, Mathanpal. About Rs 42.1 crore is proposed to be spent for this purpose.

Though the World Bank has agreed for extending an assistance of Rs 110 crore for the dam safety project, it will be finalised after the visit of the World Bank team, sources added.