Excavation of Luna and Daya Rivers Underway; Nearly 40,000 People to Benefit

Puri:- Excavation work is currently in progress on the Luna and Daya rivers, a major initiative expected to improve irrigation facilities for nearly 40,000 residents across 32 villages in Puri district.The project was undertaken after both rivers became heavily silted and overgrown with vegetation, severely affecting water flow and irrigation in surrounding agricultural areas. The decision to restore the rivers was approved during a meeting of the State Flood Control Board’s Technical Advisory Committee in 2021.

               

          According to official plans, the Luna River will be dredged along a 16-km stretch from Bada Goth to Matipur at an estimated cost of ₹26.93 crore. Similarly, the Daya River will be excavated over a 21-km stretch from Botolama in Kanas to Tirumal, with an approved expenditure of ₹41.32 crore.

The Drainage Division had initially entrusted the work to Odisha Construction Corporation Limited (OCCL). In January this year, OCCL transferred the project to Andhra Pradesh-based Nasababu Private Limited, which is now executing the work through BBPL.

           Using heavy machinery, riverbeds are being dredged to a width of 40 metres and a depth of 2 metres. The removal of accumulated silt is expected to restore smooth water flow and significantly enhance irrigation potential in the region. Excavated silt and soil are being transported through pipelines to locations 1.5 to 2 km away from the riverbanks to prevent re-entry into the channels during the upcoming monsoon season.

         Officials said the Daya River restoration will benefit around 22,000 people in villages including Beguniapada, Dalunuanpada, Suria, Botol, Ghanipur, Ghoradia, Kanakafisia, Tigiria, Jorkani, Baradia, Badalpur, Sambalpur, Barimandala, Kanas, Dokanda, Balipatna, Kakharubasta and Gadasahi, among others in Kanas and Delanga blocks.

Likewise, residents of villages located along the Luna River, including Madhipur, Rudhipur, Bijipur, Andalsingh, Jagannathpur, Naduapur, Podakera, Talamala, Paramandipur, Nikhar Gobindpur, Manpur and Karmala, are expected to benefit from improved irrigation access.

           Experts associated with the project noted that excavation to a depth of nearly six feet could help retain three to four feet of water in both rivers during the summer months. This would ensure year-round water availability, enabling farmers to undertake additional cultivation during the dry season and improve agricultural productivity.

The river restoration initiative is expected to strengthen irrigation infrastructure, improve water conservation and provide long-term benefits to farming communities across the region.