Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has approved a Rs 500-crore scheme to improve urban stormwater drainage and tackle recurring waterlogging and localised flooding across the state.

The Urban Storm Water Drainage Management and Improvement Programme (USWDMIP) will be implemented over five years, from the financial year 2026-27 to 2030-31, using the state government's own resources.

The programme aims to address the growing pressure on existing drainage infrastructure caused by rapid urbanisation and the expansion of peri-urban areas. Frequent waterlogging and localised flooding have emerged as major challenges, also raising concerns over public health and safety.

Under the scheme, urban local bodies (ULBs) and selected block headquarters will be covered. The planned interventions include desilting existing drains, constructing reinforced cement concrete (RCC) stormwater drains, covering drains, restoring natural drainage channels and connecting them with suitable water bodies.

These measures are expected to improve the capacity and efficiency of urban drainage systems and reduce the frequency of waterlogging and flooding during heavy rainfall.

The programme is also aimed at improving drainage capacity, promoting groundwater recharge and enhancing public safety and environmental quality. It is expected to strengthen climate-resilient urban development by improving the ability of towns and selected block headquarters to manage stormwater.

With a five-year implementation period, the scheme is intended to strengthen drainage infrastructure and provide a more sustainable solution to recurring urban flooding across Odisha.