As per the Odisha Government Rules of Business, the mandate of this department is given below.

• Administration of various Navigation, Embankment, and Drainage Act and Rules made thereunder.
• Water for irrigation and navigation can al, drainage embankments and water storage and all works connected therewith.
• Maintenance of Indian Waterways.
• Construction and maintenance of building required solely for the administration of canals and embankments of Major and Medium Irrigation.
• Flood control and River Taming Works.
• All matters relating to the civil construction and maintenance of Dam projects except Upper Indravati Hydro-electric Project up to the point of generation in coordination with Energy Deptt.
• All matters relating to land acquisition, land reclamation, and resettlement in connection with the projects pertaining to the Department.
• Command Area Development.
• Excavation, execution, and maintenance of Minor Irrigation as defined by Govt. of India from time to time and Tank Projects.
• Lift Irrigation Corporation.
• Odisha Pani Panchayats.