Odisha plans 300 bridge-cum-check dams

Bureau,Odishabarta

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government has set a target to complete around 300 more bridge-cum-check dams in the financial year at a cost of over Rs 400 crore for irrigation, drinking water and other purposes. It is part of the Government’s plan in May to construct 1,000 such wire structures across the State in three years amid criticism for allegedly not creating more facilities for water storage in the State.

Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra recently reviewed the progress at a virtual meeting from Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar, according to an official release on Monday. “Bridge-cum-check dams raise the surface water level in the riverbeds and significantly help in groundwater recharge and rejuvenation of the ecosystem,” Mohapatra said.

“It’s a cost-effective technology having multiple micro-level outcomes. The water conserved through this method could be utilised for irrigation on both sides of the river for growing vegetables and cash crops,” he said. The raised water level could be effectively used for pisciculture through self-help groups. It can also be used for drinking water projects, besides checking soil erosion, according to the official.

Forty-five such check dams were completed within two months in various districts. The Rural Development and the Works departments have identified 480 bridges where such check dams could be built. Mohapatra directed the departments to complete around 300 bridges during the current financial year.

It is estimated to cost Rs 413 crore for construction of these bridges.
Development Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena said the technology proved effective and helpful in the context of Odisha’s geo-climatic conditions. The bridge-cum-check dams also allowed usual flow of the river or creek where it was constructed as the water was held only up to 1.5 metres in height, Jena said.

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