Odisha’s DRIP-III project will change the Hirakud Dam; know how

The Hirakud Dam, a 1957 marvel on Odisha’s Mahanadi River near Sambalpur, is India’s longest earthen dam. Stretching 25.8 km, it supports flood control, irrigation, and hydropower. Yet, ageing infrastructure and climate risks now demand urgent upgrades.

To aid this, the Odisha government’s Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project Phase III (DRIP-III), a Rs 1,066-crore initiative backed by the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), is set to transform the dam’s safety and efficiency.

Current Specifications and Capacity of The Hirakud Dam

The dam's main section measures about 4.8 kilometres in length and rises to a height of 60.96 metres. Its reservoir, the Hirakud Reservoir, extends over 55 kilometres, offering a gross storage capacity of 5,896 million cubic metres.

To manage water discharge, the dam is equipped with 64 sluice gates and 34 crest gates, collectively facilitating a flood discharge capacity of 42,450 cubic metres per second.

Why DRIP-III Matters

Climate change and upstream developments have spiked flood risks. The Central Water Commission (CWC) warns that future inflows could hit 25 lakh cusecs, far beyond the dam’s current 15 lakh cusec discharge capacity.

DRIP-III tackles this by constructing two new spillways on the dam’s dykes, costing Rs 884 crore. Following their completion, they will boost discharge capacity to 25 lakh cusecs, safeguarding major downstream areas like Sambalpur and Cuttack from catastrophic flooding.

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Key Upgrades Under DRIP-III

New Spillways: Designed to handle extreme floods, the spillways align with revised Probable Maximum Flood estimates of 69,632 cusecs.

Automation: Existing and new gates will use SCADA systems for remote operation, enhancing real-time flood response.

Surveys: Aerial, ground, and underwater assessments will guide rehabilitation using advanced materials.

Timeline and Challenges

The DRIP-III project is slated for implementation over six years, from 2025-26 to 2030-31, with financial assistance from international agencies under the Externally Aided Project framework. 

However, rehabilitating 1,429 families across 716 households has delayed progress. Resettlement plans, monitored by the CWC and World Bank, remain critical to the project’s social sustainability.

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Broader Impacts

While DRIP-III prioritizes safety, it also promises steadier hydropower output and irrigation reliability for 1.5 lakh hectares. Yet, displaced communities await fair compensation, underscoring the balance between development and welfare.

A Global Benchmark

Hirakud’s upgrade reflects a global shift toward climate-resilient infrastructure. Once the spillways operationalize, Odisha will join ranks with modern dams worldwide, blending heritage with innovation.