BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government has given administrative approval to five in-stream storage structure (ISS) projects worth Rs 625.47 crore, aimed at strengthening water security, groundwater recharge and climate resilience across five districts, officials said on Friday, news agency PTI reported.

Source: PTI via News89

Rs 625.47 croreTotal approved cost
5Storage projects
74Villages to benefit
~72,000People to benefit

The five projects are the Dhuanpadar structure on the Vansadhara river and the Revatiguda structure on the Nagavali river, both in Rayagada district; the Bhimpur structure on the Bahuda river in Ganjam district; the Muralijore structure near Nijharidara village in Bhawanipatna block of Kalahandi district; and the Kutasingha barrage across the Ong river, a major tributary of the Mahanadi, which will benefit communities in Balangir and Sonepur districts.

The projects are expected to improve water availability for nearly 72,000 people in 74 villages, supporting irrigation and rural livelihoods, according to the state government's official statement.

Source: Odisha government statement via IndiaVerve

The approvals are part of the state government's mission-mode push for its in-stream storage structure programme, strengthened since 2024 under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, with a focus on water conservation, sustainable resource management and adaptation to climate-related challenges, officials said.

Administrative approval is the state government's formal green light for the projects. The reports announcing the approvals did not give construction timelines for the five structures.