Project work for development of Mahanadi riverfront set to take off soon

The ambitious Mahanadi riverfront development project is set to begin soon in Cuttack City, following an approval from Odisha government of the detailed project report (DPR), sources said on Sunday.

In its initial phase, the development will span a 3.5-kilometre section along the riverbank, with a projected cost of around Rs 38 Crore, in the first phase. Inspired by the Sabarmati riverfront in Gujarat, the initiative will include a range of attractions such as parks, eco-zones, cultural centres, and heritage villages.

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The Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) has confirmed that all aspects of the project will comply with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) regulations.

Preparations for Mahanadi riverfront development are in progress, with a total budgetary allocation of around Rs 220 Crore for the project. The comprehensive master plan has been finalised, and the Cuttack district administration, alongside the Forest and Water Resources departments, has assessed the ground conditions and reported their observations to the State government.

The riverfront will be developed on reclaimed land, with 34 acres specifically designated for the renowned Baliyatra trade-fair. Officials anticipate that the completion of the Mahanadi riverfront development project will not only stimulate Cuttack’s local economy but also draw tourists from across Odisha and outside.

The initiative aims to enhance the iconic Baliyatra, enabling visitors to enjoy the scenic riverside from dawn to dusk. During a previous iteration of Bali Yatra festival, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that this riverfront endeavour would soon be operational.

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When contacted, CDA deputy chairman Anam Charan Patra said, “Preliminary work of the riverfront development project has already been completed. A high-level committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary previously approved the DPR.”

“Exposure visits for the Mahanadi riverfront development have been done and stakeholder consultation with MPs and MLAs is over. The project work is almost in the final phase to start and its process will begin soon,” Cuttack Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde said.