Bhubaneswar: An ambitious irrigation project, which was previously proposed to be constructed at Brutanga in Nayagarh district, finally got forest clearance today by the Central government.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), after commissioning, the mega project planned to be constructed over 1,524.17 hectares of forest land will benefit the farmers of Dasapalla and Nayagarh. This was a long-standing demand of the locals for over the last three decades.

Around 23,000 hectares of farmland will have irrigation facilities, after completion of the project.

During his recent visit to New Delhi, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had discussed with the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF&CC), Government of India, in this regard. The CM thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and MOEF&CC Minister Bhupender Yadav for the forest clearance.

Notably, around the same amount of trees will be planted to compensate to be lost forest cover.