Odisha CM inaugurates Anandpur barrage; farmers of these districts to benefit

Keonjhar: In order to make farmlands of Keonjhar and Balasore districts water-efficient, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the Anandpur barrage over the Baitarani river here today. The barrage constructed at a cost of Rs 475 crore will provide proper irrigation facilities to farmlands in both the districts.

The 490-meter-long barrage, which has a water holding capacity of 350 lakh cubic meter, will irrigate around 60,000 hectares farmlands in the two districts. The project will majorly benefit Anandpur, Hatadihi and Ghasipura blocks of Keonjhar district and Khaira, Oupada, Nilagiri, Bahanaga, Balasore Sadar, Remuna and Soro blocks of Balasore district.

With this, the state Government is determined to foster agricultural development of both these districts, which majorly produce paddy, groundnuts, mustard and Mung and Biri pulses apart from vegetables.

During his whirlwind visit to the district, Patnaik also attended the Platinum Jubilee Celebration of BN High School at Anandapur. He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for different developmental projects in the district. On the occasion, he also distributed assets and benefits to beneficiaries under various welfare schemes.