Cabinet approves Odisha Port Policy-2022, Hadua irrigation project

Bhubaneswar: The state Cabinet led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today approved Odisha Port Policy-2022 for holistic development of the maritime ecosystem of Odisha.

The policy aims at providing comprehensive guidelines for integrated development of non-major ports and inland waterways of Odisha.

It will facilitate private sector investments into the maritime sector of the state.

At present, the state has 14 notified non-major ports. The ports at Dhamra and Gopalpur have been made functional while those at Astarang and Subarnarekha mouth are now under construction. The policy seeks to aid and promote development of ports and port-led industrial development through improved port linking infrastructure, said an official.

The policy also promotes other maritime ventures including coastal shipping, promotion of marine tourism, multipurpose harbours and creation of infrastructure for ship building, he added.

The Cabinet also approved the tender for Hadua medium irrigation project for the integrated development of Narasinghapur, Baramba and Tigiria block of Cuttack district.

The project envisages a reservoir across Hadua river near Kharod village in Cuttack district with the construction of a 387 metre-long and 43.825 metre-high concrete dam.

The project would be implemented at an expenditure of Rs 221 crore. It has the potential to irrigate farm lands in the drought-prone areas in Cuttack district. It can also provide drinking water to at least 3 lakh people, said the official.

Besides, the state Cabinet approved the tender for construction of left bank canal of Rengali Irrigation Project in Odisha. The project would be implemented at an expenditure of Rs 297 crore.

The project has the potential to irrigate 19,835 hectares of land in Jajpur and Keonjhar district through Korei Branch Canal and Barapada branch canal in Jajpur and Keonjhar district.