Water Flow in Indravati River Ensured through Jora Nala Control Structure on initiative of CM Sai

Raipur, March 12

Following the initiative of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the water flow in the Jora Nala Control Structure has been regulated, and water has been released into the main stream of the Indravati River. After receiving approval from the Odisha government, sandbags were placed in the structure to ensure the water flow, resulting in an increase in the water level of the Indravati River.

On the instructions of Chief Minister Shri Sai, Water Resources Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap discussed the water crisis in the Indravati River with the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil. The Union Minister then issued necessary directions to the Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh and Odisha for the resolution of the issue. As a result, with the consent of Odisha, the Jora Nala Control Structure was temporarily raised by one foot, improving the water flow in the Indravati River.

Additionally, work has begun to remove accumulated sand from both upstream and downstream of the Indravati River, with the goal of completing it by the first week of April. Under the guidance of Collector Shri Haris S, Additional Collector Shri C.P. Baghel, Additional Superintendent of Police Shri Maheshwar Nag, and EE of the Water Resources Department, Shri Ved Pandey, local farmers were provided with detailed information in the District Office’s Prerna Sabha Hall.

Indravati River and Jora Nala Issue

The Indravati River originates from Rampur Dhumal village in the Kalahandi district of Odisha. After traveling 534 kilometers, it merges with the Godavari River. The river’s catchment area spans 41,665 square kilometers, including 7,435 square kilometers in Odisha, 33,735 square kilometers in Chhattisgarh, and 495 square kilometers in Maharashtra.

At the village of Sootpadar, located on the Odisha state border, the Indravati River divides into two parts. One part flows as the Indravati River for 5 kilometers and enters Chhattisgarh near the village of Bhejapadar, while the other part flows as Jora Nala for 12 kilometers before merging with the Shabari (Kolab) River. Initially, water from Jora Nala used to flow into the Indravati, but over time, the increased flow of Jora Nala reduced the water flow into the Indravati.

When the situation became critical, a meeting of senior engineers from Odisha and Chhattisgarh was held in December 2003, where a decision was made to build a control structure at the mouth of Jora Nala to divide the water flow. This structure was constructed by the Odisha government, and the design was prepared by the Central Water Commission (CWC). After construction, despite the control structure, more water continued to flow into Jora Nala, leading to an average distribution of 40.71% of the water flow to Chhattisgarh and 59.29% to Odisha during the summer season.

Progress in Resolving the Issue through State Government’s Efforts

To ensure a minimum water flow in the Indravati River, the Chhattisgarh government has made several efforts. On 6th January 2021, officials from the water resource departments of Odisha and Chhattisgarh conducted a joint inspection. During the inspection, it was requested to remove sand and boulders upstream of the control structure to prevent water accumulation and to straighten the meanders of Jora Nala.

Since 2018, there has been a persistent issue of reduced continuous water flow in the Indravati River. Now, with the support of the Odisha government and efforts from the state government, concrete steps are being taken to balance the river’s water flow. This will increase the water flow in the Indravati River and ensure better water availability for irrigation to farmers.