Bhubaneswar, Jan 20: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today laid the foundation for 19 Instream Storage Structures across 13 districts in the state, signaling a significant step toward agricultural and environmental development.

The government has allocated a budget of Rs 4,006 crores for these projects, aimed at enhancing water storage and utilization in various regions. The foundation stones for these structures were virtually laid by the CM in the presence of enthusiastic locals and farmers from the respective areas.

The 19 projects are spread across Bargarh, Balangir, Boudh, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Khurda, Puri, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, and Sundergarh districts. More than 15,000 individuals, including 10,000 women farmers, participated in the event in Kendrapara.

Chief Minister Patnaik emphasized the substantial benefits these projects would bring to farmers, particularly in terms of drinking water supply, fish farming, and animal husbandry. He highlighted the positive impact on groundwater levels and the overall environmental balance.

Patnaik underscored the importance of such initiatives for sustainable development and flood control. He revealed that the instream storage plan, initiated in 2020 with an investment of Rs 11,700 crores, has progressed to include 72 projects across three phases. The Chief Minister stressed that these projects are implemented based on public opinion and participation, with proposals stemming from people's input during the visits of the 5T chairman to various districts.

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