The Odisha government has launched a five-year bridge-cum-weir scheme with an outlay of Rs 6 billion (Rs 6 bn) to enhance rural connectivity and water conservation across districts. The programme, to run from 2026-27 to 2030-31, will convert existing bridges into structures that provide uninterrupted road links and impound water for irrigation, groundwater recharge, livestock and domestic use. The Rural Development department said 670 bridge-cum-weir projects will be undertaken during the period. It said the initial year, 2026-27, will cover 106 new projects and completion of 162 spill-over projects at an estimated cost of Rs 550 million (Rs 550 mn). Annual targets of 100 projects are planned from 2027-28 to 2030-31, with the remaining allocation bringing total investment over five years to Rs 6 bn. Technical criteria have been prescribed to ensure safety and sustainability, limiting selection to structurally sound bridges with open or raft foundations. Preference will be given to bridges with existing rigid floor protection in good condition. Guidelines require selected sites to be located on streams with moderate to low water currents, where velocity generally does not exceed three metres per second, and with stable embankments capable of storing impounded water without flooding adjoining areas. Sites with mild to moderate stream-bed slopes will be preferred to minimise scouring and structural damage. The scheme is designed to deliver dependable water storage directly benefiting nearby habitations, agricultural fields and livestock. The government has mandated third-party evaluation at the end of the programme period to assess socio-economic and environmental impact and to inform decisions on continuation. Project selection and implementation will follow the prescribed technical norms and the department will monitor compliance. Officials indicated the scheme is intended to integrate connectivity and water security objectives in rural development planning.