Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Thursday, said the state government aims to extend irrigation facilities to an additional 15 lakh hectares over the next five years, emphasising that effective water management is vital for the state’s economic progress.
The Chief Minister said this while addressing a state-level gathering organised to observe the Pani Panchayat fortnight 2026 in Bhubaneswar.
“Irrigation coverage will be expanded through major, medium, and minor projects, lift irrigation, mega lift schemes, and check dams,” the chief minister, who is also in charge of the water resources department, said.
Highlighting the success of existing community management, the Chief Minister stated that 40,380 Pani Panchayats are presently overseeing irrigation across 24.12 lakh hectares, adding that while traditional methods often result in wastage, these councils ensure equitable and efficient water distribution.
ଆଜି ଲୋକସେବା ଭବନରେ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠିତ 'ରାଜ୍ୟସ୍ତରୀୟ ପାଣି ପଞ୍ଚାୟତ ପକ୍ଷ-୨୦୨୬ର ଉଦଯାପନୀ ସମାରୋହରେ ଯୋଗଦେଇ ରାଜ୍ୟର କୃଷକମାନଙ୍କ ଉନ୍ନତି ପାଇଁ ଆମ ସରକାରଙ୍କ ଦୂରଦୃଷ୍ଟି ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ଆଲୋକପାତ କଲି। ଜଳର ସୁପରିଚାଳନା ହିଁ କୃଷି ଓ ସାମଗ୍ରିକ ଅର୍ଥନୈତିକ ପ୍ରଗତିର ଚାବିକାଠି। ଆମର ପାଣି ପଞ୍ଚାୟତଗୁଡ଼ିକ କ୍ଷେତକୁ ସୁରୁଖୁରୁରେ ଜଳ ଯୋଗାଇବାରେ… pic.twitter.com/lQBmitDN3P
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) January 22, 2026
He pointed to several ongoing initiatives—including the Khairibandhan barrage in Mayurbhanj, the Upper Lanth project in Bolangir, the Sandul underground pipeline, and the Brutanga irrigation project in Nayagarh—as critical components in the state’s expanding infrastructure.
The Chief Minister revealed a long-term roadmap to provide irrigation to over 90 per cent of Odisha’s cultivable land by 2036, a milestone intended to transform the state into a highly prosperous region.
He called upon farmers to diversify crops, including vegetables, fruits, and flowers, to increase their income.
Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo said the government was planning to provide better market access to farmers and export their produce to fetch higher prices, with the primary goal of enhancing farmers’ income.
