Odisha cabinet clears Rs 4,708-crore pumped storage project, free Wi-Fi

The Odisha cabinet on Monday, 9 November 2026, approved 13 proposals including a Rs 4,708.64-crore, 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project at Ranibahal in Kalahandi district, said Chief Secretary Anu Garg. Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd has been selected as developer, with commissioning targeted for the 2030-31 financial year. The facility will generate around 1,040 million units of peak electricity annually and serve as a grid-scale energy storage system.

The cabinet also cleared the ‘Odisha Shikshanet’ scheme, with a Rs 393.62-crore outlay over three years from 2026-27, to provide free, high-speed Wi-Fi with a 1 GB daily data limit in 601 government and aided colleges, benefiting over 6 lakh students and faculty. Other decisions included the Paddy Procurement Policy for the 2026-27 Kharif Marketing Season, under which at least 78 lakh metric tonnes will be bought from farmers at Rs 3,100 per quintal with payment within 24 to 48 hours, and a one-year extension for around 5,000 private fair price shop dealers until 30 September 2027.

Unlimited attempts for state civil services candidates until the upper age limit were also approved, along with three water resources proposals worth Rs 450 crore for in-stream storage and mega lift irrigation projects.