BHUBANESWAR: Following an order from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the government has decided to rejuvenate the Sukapaika, known as the dead river in Mahanadi delta region in Cuttack district. The decision was taken recently at a meeting chaired by chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra and attended by senior officials of the state water resources department.
The chief secretary directed the water resources department to float a tender and engage an agency for renovation of the river channel. Target was set to complete the renovation within 18 months.
Instructions were issued to keep the renovated channel filled with water throughout the year so that farmers on both sides can utilize the water for irrigation. The chief secretary also directed the water resources department to carefully schedule timing of implementing of the project to avoid possible ingress of high floodwater from the Mahanadi.
It was decided to construct four bridges connecting village roads from both sides of the channel. The estimated cost to rejuvenate the channel would be around Rs 50 crore, which has also been approved by the government.
State water resources secretary Anu Garg said the Sukapaika channel originates from Mahanadi's right embankment near Ayatpur village. After traversing about 31km across 21 gram panchyats in Cuttack district, the channel again merges with the Mahanadi at Bankala.
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