The dormant Sukapaika River is set to flow again as the Odisha government begins implementing its rejuvenation plan, following orders from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The Sukapaika is one of several distributaries of the mighty Mahanadi river in Odisha that ceased flowing about 70 years ago.
The Significant Points About Sukapaika River
The Sukapaika River branches off from the Mahanadi at Ayatpur village in Cuttack district and flows for approximately 40 kilometers before rejoining its parent river at Tarapur in the same district. The river plays a crucial role in controlling floodwater and maintaining the proper flow of the Mahanadi as well as the Bay of Bengal.
Mahanadi River: The Majestic Flow of Odisha
Known as the third-largest river system in peninsular India after Godavari and Krishna, the Mahanadi River is the largest river in Odisha state. The catchment area of this massive river extends across many states including Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra. The river originates near Sihawa, in the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh.
From the north, the basin of the river is bounded by the hills of Central India, by the Eastern Ghats from the south and east, and embraced by the Maikala range in the west.
The Mahanadi’s major tributaries from left include the Seonath, Hasdeo, Mand, and Ib, while the Ong, Tel, and Jonk join it from the right.
Contributing Projects and Industries
Hirakud Dam, the longest dam of India, is proudly located on the Mahanadi River. Other significant projects include the Ravishankar Sagar, the Dudhawa Reservoir, the Sondur Reservoir, the Hasdeo Bango, and the Tandula.
The Mahanadi basin is home to many industries due to its rich mineral reserves and ample power resources. Some of these include the iron and steel plant at Bhilai, aluminum factories at Hirakud and Korba, a paper mill near Cuttack, and a cement factory at Sundargarh.
This area also supports industries based on agricultural produce, such as sugar and textile mills, while mining for coal, iron, and manganese form other significant industrial activities.
UPSC Civil Services Examination: Past Question 1
In 2014, a question was asked regarding the rivers that flow through Arunachal Pradesh. The options given were Barak, Lohit, and Subansiri. The correct answer was 2 and 3 only, as the Barak River rises in the Manipur hills and enters the plains near Lakhipur but does not flow through Arunachal Pradesh.
UPSC Civil Services Examination: Past Question 2
Another question in the same year related to pairing wetlands with the confluence of rivers. The pairs were Harike Wetlands with Beas and Satluj/Sutlej, Keoladeo Ghana National Park with Banas and Chambal, and Kolleru Lake with Musi and Krishna. The correct answer was 1 only, as the other two pairs were incorrectly matched.
Last Modified: February 18, 2024