What is the Upper Indravati Hydroelectric Project (UIHEP) , and what were its developmental objectives in the Kalahandi region of Odisha?

The Upper Indravati Hydroelectric Project (UIHEP) is a major multipurpose river valley project built on the Indravati River in Odisha. The project was conceptualised in the 1970s and its foundation was laid in 1978 by Prime Minister Morarji Desai at Mukhiguda in Kalahandi district. The primary objectives of the project were twofold: hydropower generation and irrigation development. It was designed to generate around 600 megawatts of hydroelectric power and irrigate nearly 1.28 lakh hectares of agricultural land in drought-prone Kalahandi district. The reservoir created by the project covers approximately 12,885 hectares in the Eastern Ghats region.The project significantly transformed the agricultural landscape of Kalahandi, which was once known for chronic droughts, poverty, and food insecurity. By providing irrigation to vast areas of farmland, it helped convert the region into a productive agricultural belt and one of India’s important rice-producing regions. Such multipurpose river valley projects are often considered vital tools for regional development because they simultaneously support energy production, irrigation, and water resource management.However, large infrastructure projects like UIHEP also bring significant social and environmental challenges. In this case, around 97 villages were affected and nearly 17,000 people were displaced during the project’s implementation between 1989 and 1992. Some communities who chose not to relocate became geographically isolated when the reservoir filled in the late 1990s. The experience of these villages highlights the complex trade-offs between national development objectives and the welfare of local communities.

Why do large infrastructure projects like dams often lead to development-induced displacement , and why is this issue significant in India?

Development-induced displacement refers to the forced relocation of people due to large development projects such as dams, highways, mines, and industrial zones. Dams in particular require large reservoirs that submerge villages, agricultural lands, forests, and other livelihood resources. As a result, communities living in these areas are often compelled to relocate. In the case of the Upper Indravati project, thousands of families lost land and livelihoods as large areas were submerged to create the reservoir.This issue is particularly significant in India because many large development projects are located in regions inhabited by tribal communities, small farmers, and marginalized groups. These populations often depend heavily on land and forests for their livelihoods. When displacement occurs without adequate rehabilitation, it can lead to long-term poverty, loss of cultural identity, and social disruption. Studies have shown that tribal communities are disproportionately affected by displacement despite contributing minimally to environmental degradation.The significance of the issue has led to the evolution of more comprehensive rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) policies in India. The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 attempts to address some of these concerns by ensuring better compensation, livelihood restoration, and community participation. However, cases like the Indravati reservoir villages illustrate how earlier projects implemented under older frameworks continue to pose unresolved challenges.

How does poor connectivity affect access to healthcare, education, and basic services in remote or geographically isolated communities?

Poor physical connectivity can severely restrict access to essential public services such as healthcare, education, markets, and administrative support. In remote regions like the villages surrounded by the Indravati reservoir, residents must often travel long distances on foot or by boat to reach the nearest health centre or hospital. Medical emergencies become particularly dangerous because delays in reaching healthcare facilities can result in preventable deaths. For instance, in the Indravati reservoir region, patients are sometimes carried on makeshift stretchers for several kilometres before reaching a boat ambulance.Education is another sector heavily affected by poor connectivity. Children in many isolated villages must walk several kilometres across difficult terrain to attend school. In some cases, lack of transport discourages continued education beyond the primary level. The article highlights that students from certain villages must walk up to 8–10 kilometres to attend school, which significantly affects educational outcomes and contributes to school dropouts.Furthermore, connectivity constraints increase the cost and difficulty of accessing welfare schemes. Even government benefits such as food grains under the Public Distribution System (PDS) become harder to access when residents must transport supplies across reservoirs and steep hills. Therefore, improving connectivity through roads, bridges, and transport infrastructure is essential for ensuring inclusive development and equitable access to public services.

What factors contributed to the continued isolation of villages within the Indravati reservoir despite the development benefits generated by the project?

Several interrelated factors have contributed to the prolonged isolation of villages located within the Indravati reservoir. One major reason is the incomplete implementation of rehabilitation policies during the early phases of the project. Many residents initially received cash compensation but lacked awareness about financial planning and alternative livelihood opportunities. As a result, some families exhausted their compensation and eventually chose to remain in their original villages located on higher ground that did not get submerged.Another important factor is the lack of infrastructure development in these island-like settlements. Despite proposals for bridges and improved connectivity, many projects have remained incomplete or delayed for years. For instance, plans for a high-level bridge connecting the cut-off villages with the mainland were announced more than a decade ago but have yet to materialise. Without reliable road infrastructure, residents remain dependent on boats or seasonal pathways.Institutional neglect and administrative challenges have also played a role. Remote communities often receive limited attention in development planning due to logistical difficulties and budget constraints. As a result, essential services such as schools, healthcare facilities, and public infrastructure remain underdeveloped. The combination of geographical isolation, inadequate rehabilitation, and delayed infrastructure projects has created a cycle of marginalisation for the communities living in the Indravati reservoir region.

Critically analyse the trade-offs between large infrastructure projects and the welfare of local communities using the example of the Indravati project.

Large infrastructure projects such as dams, highways, and power plants are often justified on the grounds of national development and economic growth. Projects like the Upper Indravati Hydroelectric Project contribute significantly to electricity generation, irrigation expansion, and regional development. In the case of Kalahandi, the project helped transform a drought-prone region into an agriculturally productive area, thereby contributing to food security and rural economic growth.However, these benefits often come with significant social costs, particularly for communities living in project-affected areas. Displacement, loss of livelihoods, and disruption of traditional lifestyles are common consequences. In the Indravati case, many displaced families struggled to rebuild their lives due to inadequate rehabilitation measures and lack of long-term support. Those who remained in their villages eventually became geographically isolated, facing difficulties in accessing healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.A balanced assessment suggests that while large infrastructure projects are necessary for national progress, they must be implemented with strong safeguards for affected communities. This includes comprehensive rehabilitation policies, participatory decision-making, and long-term livelihood support. Sustainable development requires ensuring that the benefits of such projects are distributed equitably and that vulnerable communities are not left behind.

If you were a district administrator responsible for improving the living conditions of isolated villages around a reservoir, what policy interventions would you prioritise?

As a district administrator addressing the challenges faced by isolated reservoir villages, the first priority would be improving physical connectivity. This could involve constructing bridges, improving road infrastructure, and ensuring regular boat transport services where road connectivity is not feasible. Public infrastructure projects must be closely monitored to avoid delays and ensure timely completion. Reliable connectivity would significantly improve access to healthcare, markets, and administrative services.The second priority would involve strengthening basic social infrastructure. This includes establishing functional health sub-centres, deploying mobile medical units, and improving telemedicine services to address healthcare emergencies. Similarly, education can be improved through residential schools, digital learning platforms, and transportation support for students from remote villages.Finally, sustainable livelihood opportunities must be developed to reduce economic vulnerability. This could include promoting community-based forestry, eco-tourism, fisheries in the reservoir, and skill development programmes for youth. Integrating welfare schemes such as the Public Distribution System, housing programmes, and employment schemes like MGNREGA can further improve living standards. By adopting a multi-sectoral approach combining infrastructure, social services, and livelihood development, the administration can ensure inclusive and sustainable development for remote communities.

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The Promise of Development in Odisha’s Kalahandi

Exploring the struggles and realities faced by tribal families in Kalahandi due to inadequate infrastructure and development projects.

Dhinesh Balasubramanian

•March 7, 2026•5 mins read

Cut-off villages struggle for healthcare across reservoir

Sixteen villages in N. Podapadar Gram Panchayat of Kalahandi district, Odisha, remain geographically isolated due to the Upper Indravati Hydroelectric Project (UIHEP). The reservoir created by the project has surrounded these settlements for nearly three decades, cutting them off from basic services such as healthcare, education, roads...

The Promise of Development in Odisha’s Kalahandi

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