Jayamangala Irrigation Project is a diversion weir Scheme constructed across river Ghodahada, near Hinjilicut Town in Hinjilicut Block of Ganjam District intercepting a Catchment of 1218 Sq.Km. The major component of this system consists of a diversion weir (Anicut) of 82.30 Mtr. Length. Its only right main canal is 35.80 Km long functions both as drainage channel (to carry flood & drainage water) as well as Irrigation Canal, and having 58 Nos. of Distributaries, Minors & Sub–Minors comprising to total length of 114 Km. This Project was completed in the year 1901 during Pre-Independence period. The existing canal irrigates to an area of 7350.00 Ha. in Khariff and 200 Ha. in Rabi. Direct Irrigation to the ayacut upto 26.545 Km of Main Canal is not possible as the canal runs in valley & deep cuttings. After 26.545 Km of Main Canal, 332 Ha. of ayacut is irrigated from direct outlets.

There is a proverb “Having no water cause destruction and abundance of water also cause destruction.” So maintaining the water quantity in an area is the most important factor to avoid destruction. On this basis Jayamangal anicut and canal system are the key milestones to utilize water in sustainable way and to avoid from destruction. It also bears an exceptional testimony for development of irrigation and improvement of economical status of farmers.

This area of Ganjam District (Mainly Hinjilicut, Purushottampur & Chatrapur Blocks) had two problems (i) Drought prone area(No water case), and (ii) After flood, water logging and water stagnant (Abundant of water case).

After construction of Jaymangal Anicut System (diversion weir),this drought prone area converted into an proper irrigated area. Water could be easily stored for all the year due to which Ground Water Recharge occurred. By the distribution system water could easily reach to the farmers and they got water for irrigation and also for different activities like drinking water etc. So the development of agriculture has improved in this area and the farmers are able to grow different types of crops n different season.

Due to this development, food production increased along with the improvement in economic conditions of farmers. At present also the existing canal irrigates to an area of 7350.00 Ha. during Khariff and 200 Ha. during Rabi in Hinjili, Chatrapurand Purushottampur Blocks under Hinjilicut, Khallikote and Chatrapur Assembly Constituencies of Ganjam District respectively. By the development of this project, the Main Canal not only acts as an irrigation water supplier but also helps to drain the flood and drainage water from the area due to which water logging and stagnation of water conditions after flood decreased. So this project has a unique characteristic that functions both as drainage channel as well as Irrigation Canal, which was an innovative idea at the time of construction more than 120 years back.

The Jayamangal anicut and canal systems have been serving continuously and consistently for about 120 years. This project has made an outstanding contribution in improvement of irrigation facility, vast development of irrigated agriculture infrastructure, enhancing food production, rural prosperity and poverty alleviation in this region.

Jayamangal channel of length 35.80 Km originating from the anicut is serving as an inundation channel for releasing flood water to River Rushikulya besides facilitating irrigation to 7350 Ha of cultivated lands in 48 villages of Hinjilicut, Purushottampur&Chatrapur Blocks under Hinjili, Khallikote&Chatrapur Assembly constituencies respectively. Over the years the channel has silted up and the banks have eroded at several places. The bed width is inadequate at many places to accommodate the flood discharge causing water logging problem. To overcome this problem the proposal for renovation of the entire system is being implemented.