Why in the News?

The Odisha government has allocated ₹855 crore for the renovation of the six-decade-old canal system connected to the Hirakud Dam aiding farmers in Sambalpur, Subarnapur, Bargarh, and Balangir districts. The project, to be completed by 2027-28, will replace earthen canals with concrete paths, enhancing water distribution and efficiency. This renovation aims to reduce water wastage and reclaim submerged cropland for agriculture.

Hirakud Dam

• It is located on the Mahanadi River near Sambalpur in Odisha.
• Completed in 1957, it was one of India’s first major multipurpose river valley projects post-Independence.
• It is one of the longest dams in India and one of the longest earthen dams in the world.
• The dam creates Asia’s largest man-made lake known as Hirakud Lake.
• It is made of earth, concrete, and masonry.
• Power Generation: 359.8 Megawatts (MW) (According to data by Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Ltd.)
• It provides flood protection in Cuttack and Puri districts.

About Mahanadi River

• It is one of the major rivers of India that flows through Central and Eastern India.
• The Mahanadi basin spreads over Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.
• Origin: Nagri-Sihawa, Dhamtari, Dandakaranya, Chhattisgarh
• Mouth: Jagatsinghpur Delta, Bay of Bengal, Odisha
• Tributaries
  
  • Left: Seonath, Mand, Ib, Hasdeo, Kelo
  • Right: Ong, parry, Jonk, Telen

Mahanadi River Basin