Odisha CM Addresses Hirakud Dam Crack Concerns

Bhubaneswar: Concerns over cracks in the Hirakud Dam were raised in the Odisha Assembly during the ongoing Budget Session, with Digapahandi MLA Sidhant Mohapatra submitting an unstarred question on the issue. In response, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi provided a written reply, addressing the findings and repair plans.

Mohapatra sought details on the report submitted by the Central Soil and Material Research Station (CSMRS), New Delhi, after inspecting the cracks, the extent of damage, the status of repair work, and the company assigned for the task.

In his response, the Chief Minister stated that the CSMRS report found the spillway concrete quality to be satisfactory given the dam’s age. He noted that minor surface cracks had been observed but were classified as “dead and inactive.”

Majhi further informed the Assembly that the State Cabinet had approved a comprehensive assessment of the dam under the Dam Rehabilitation & Improvement Project (DRIP)-III. This will include underwater, ground, and aerial surveys to evaluate the dam’s condition and implement necessary rehabilitation measures.

Earlier this month, the Odisha Cabinet sanctioned the DRIP-III project for the Hirakud reservoir, the world’s longest earthen dam, at an estimated cost of ₹1,066.38 crore. The project will be funded by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and is scheduled for execution over six years, from 2025-26 to 2030-31.