The multipurpose river valley project plays an important role in developing the country’s economy, finance. Most of the multipurpose river valley project generally concentrates on the irrigation and hydroelectric projects of the country. It also contributes to the other major part of the country. In most of the remote places of the country that are devoid of having sufficient rainwater, in that particular place, irrigation became the only source to perform agricultural activities. The multipurpose river valley project brings convenience to that particular place. One of the major aims of a multipurpose river project is to control floods by storing excessive rainwater.

Multipurpose river valley project 

One of the most important things in our country that plays a major role in contributing to economic, and agricultural development is the “multipurpose river valley project”. It generally includes building large dams, storing the rainwater and developing rapid industrial growth. Multipurpose river valley projects are utilized for generation of hydroelectricity and flood control. Furthermore, construction of multipurpose dams deteriorates floral and faunal life.

The important multipurpose river valley projects of Odisha 

Odisha has established itself as a developing country in the field of irrigation. 

• ‘Hirakud’ is the longest dam in the whole world. It was established over the river Mahanadi in the ‘Sambalpur’ district of ‘Odisha.’ After India’s independence, it was the first multipurpose river valley project. 
• The dam was built in the year of 1947. The ‘Hirakud river valley project’ is a well-maintained river valley project. The project was built under the governance of Naveen Patnaik, the CM of Odisha. Hirakud Dam has a crucial role, especially in Odisha’s food production and food control. In the Chhattisgarh plain, the ‘upper drainage Basin’ of the Mahanadi is severely severed by periodic drought; on the contrary, the ‘lower delta region’, where flood happens frequently. 
• The dam was built to alleviate this problem by creating a reservoir and also helps to control the Mahanadi river’s flow. This multipurpose river valley project also contributes to the production of the Kharif and Rabi crops in the districts such as Bargarh, Bolan, Subarnapur, and Sambalpur. In addition to that, the project protects from floods to 9,500 km square around the delta area in the district of Puri and Cuttack. It can be considered one of the most important river valley projects in Odisha.

Multipurpose river-valley project: role 

The multipurpose river valley project decreases the threat of flood possibilities which is a major concern in the deltaic region of the plain. Although it serves many purposes, among them, one of the main purposes is to elevate agriculture and supply hydroelectricity to the various power plants. Provide support for the rapid growth of industrialization and create good habitats for various species like fishes and animals.

Conclusion

The multipurpose river valley project was initially created to store the rainwater for preventing flooding. But nowadays, with the help of modernization, the activities and purposes of the project have grown. It plays an essential role to ensure agriculture during rainless and dry seasons and is growth-related for industrial purposes. Besides, it also helps to improve navigation systems. The livelihoods of the local people, besides the dams, have been improved so far. The project is necessary for villages and small towns to gain self-sufficiency in economic development.