India, Oct. 14 -- The Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has approved a tender worth Rs 105.62 crore for the construction of an in-stream water storage project at Tustapali village in Balangir district to address chronic water scarcity in drought-prone areas.

The project, proposed across the river Lanth, a tributary of the Tel river, near Tustapali village in Sainatala block, is expected to be completed within 30 calendar months. The approved tender amount of Rs 105,62,33,960 excludes Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The project aims to conserve monsoon runoff and ensure a reliable water supply during dry periods in the district, which frequently faces water shortages. Around 90 per cent of the region's annual r...