Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Bolangir witnessed a new era of development when Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik opened the Lower Suktel Irrigation Project, the ninth-largest dam in Odisha. As part of the 5T initiative, construction on the dam got underway in 2019. 80,000 farmers will benefit from the 1 lakh acres of agricultural land that will be irrigated in 203 villages throughout Balangi and Sonepur by the Lower Suktel Irrigation Project. In addition, it will supply the local population with drinking water.
There won’t be any additional irrigation displacement because subterranean pipelines will be used for irrigation. The Chief Minister said, “I respect the sacrifice of the people of 29 displaced villages,” during his remarks at the event. Their giving will always be remembered. The Chief Minister also dedicated 69 other projects worth Rs 305 crore, in addition to the Lower Suktel Irrigation Project. The Chief Minister broke ground on 112 projects with a combined estimated cost of Rs 2,220 crore and launched new initiatives worth Rs 2,525 crore. In August of last year, 5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman Pandian travelled to Bolangir to hasten the conclusion of the district’s numerous development projects.
