India, Oct. 10 -- The Odisha Cabinet on Thursday approved three key initiatives worth nearly Rs.21,147 crore to conserve surface water, enhance irrigation potential, and mitigate the twin threats of floods and droughts in the state.

The cabinet has cleared the extension of the construction of in-stream storage structures scheme for another five years, with an outlay of Rs.1,9941 crore from the state's own resources. The scheme involves creating storage structures within river embankments - without displacing people - to conserve surface water and recharge groundwater, while also supplying water for irrigation, drinking, livestock, and fisheries.

Officials said the model, first implemented under ISS-1.0, has shown promising results in im...