Cuttack: Dead River in Mahanadi Delta Region to Be Enlivened with Rejuvenation

Bhubaneswar: Suka-Paika drainage channel, typically called “ the dead-river” in Mahanadi delta region of Cuttack district will soon be enlivened through complete rejuvenation.

This was discussed in a high level meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra in Lokseba Bhawan conference hall wherein Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Water Resources Anu Garg outlined the technical, administrative and financial issues for discussion.

Considering various contours of the proposal, Chief Secretary Mahapatra directed the department to soon float the tender for renovation of the channel. Target was set to complete the renovation within 18 months.

Mahapatra asked Engineers of the department to keep the renovated channel filled with water throughout the year so that famers on both sides could utilize the water for irrigation purposes. Chief Secretary also directed to carefully schedule timing of the project implementation for avoiding any possible ingress of high flood water from Mahanadi. It was decided to construct 4 bridges connecting village roads from both sides of the channel. The estimated cost of around Rs.49.67 cr was accorded in-principle approval in the meeting.

ACS Garg appraised that the channel originated from River Mahanadi right embankment near village Ayatpur. After traversing about 30.45 kms across 21 Gram Panchyats in Cuttack Sadar, Nishintakoili and Raghunathpur Blocks of Cuttack district, the channel again merged in River Mahanadi at Bankala near Tarapur. Mouth of the natural channel was closed in 1950s as a high-flood control measure. Renovation of the channel would yield multi-sided outcomes from the view points of the creation of irrigational potential, growing of cash crops, fishing activities, and restoration of the eco-system.

Principal Secretary Finance Vishal Kumar Dev, Collector Cuttack Bhabani Sankar Chaini, Engineer in Chief Water Resources Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty along with senior officers from concerned departments participated in the discussions.