Odisha CM launches Green Mahanadi Mission; reviews flood situation

Boudh: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday inaugurated Green Mahanadi Mission, a mega-plantation drive along the Mahanadi river basin.

The state government expected to plant more than two crore saplings over 41,000 hectares of land on both sides of Mahanadi river and its tributaries.

An estimated Rs 200 crore will be spent in the first phase of plantation across both sides of the river.

The first phase of plantation will be undertaken on 200 sq km in 2018-19.

The objective of the mission is to recharge and revitalise the groundwater reserve along banks of Mahanadi river.

Similar initiatives will be undertaken on Ib and Tel rivers and subsequently extended to all major rivers in the state, said an official.

The Chief Minister also attended a high-level review meeting on the flood situation in 20 riverside districts of Mahanadi, with senior officials at Sambalpur on Tuesday.

He said the 10 collectors have been instructed to remain alert and take all necessary steps for rescue and relief operations.

The Chief Minister said the officials have been directed to restore the damage within 24 hours.