Rejuvenating a dead river in Odisha

Last Updated26/10/2022

A small river that stopped flowing 70 years ago in Odisha’s Cuttack district is set to be rejuvenated as the State is working on its revival plan following a recent direction from the NGT.
First serious attempt to restore a river to its original shape in Odisha.

Originated from the Mahanadi, near Ayatpur village.
Flowed 27.50 km before meeting the Mahanadi again at Bankala.
Its mouth was closed in 1950s enabling development of the Taladanda Canal System, a major canal of the State.
Led to the drying of the river.
Led to a groundwater crisis a few years ago.
Agriculture was hit and the river channel turned into a garbage ground.

A decision has been taken to open the river mouth which was closed in 1950s and let Mahanadi water flow into Sukapaika again.
The project would also require land acquisition.
The issue of diverting Mahanadi River water was also deliberated in detail.
Flood water was measured at a gauge site in Mahanadi River at Kisan Nagar in the years 2017 and 2021.
The water level remains above 13 metres for 13-44 days in a year in the monsoon period.
However, at the proposed sluice site at Ayatpur, 9 km upstream of the gauge site, the water level would be about 14.50 m to 15 m.
It was assessed that approximate minimum discharge in Mahanadi at that point should be 1,14,240 cusec.
Would facilitate the entry of Mahanadi flood water into Sukapaika Drainage Channel for more number of days in a year than those observed at Kisannagar.
Helpful for rejuvenation of the dead channel to a great extent.