Odisha has entered a new chapter in water management with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Jal Shakti for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
The agreement, effective until 2028, aims to strengthen the state’s roadmap for achieving the national goal of “Har Ghar Jal.”
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi joined the virtual ceremony from Lok Seva Bhawan, while Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil and Minister of State B. Somanna attended from New Delhi. The CM thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visionary leadership, noting that 77.3 per cent of households nationwide already have tap water connections.
Majhi said Odisha has prepared a clear roadmap under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, focusing on citizen participation, financial sustainability, and proper maintenance through the Operation & Maintenance Policy. Digital monitoring, grievance redressal platforms, and helplines have been strengthened to ensure transparency and accountability.
The state has already created IDs for nearly 5,000 rural water supply schemes under the Sujalam Bharat platform. Odisha provides 70 litres of drinking water per person per day, with the state government contributing nearly 40 per cent of mission funding.
Union Minister Patil emphasised that the mission will improve women’s lives by eliminating the need to travel long distances for water. He said the extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission until 2028 will ensure the availability of water in water-scarce regions.
The initiative has also spurred mass participation, with Village Water & Sanitation Committees active across districts and “Jal Arpan Diwas” celebrated in 25 out of 30 districts. Odisha has completed over 2.21 lakh water conservation structures, revived 43,000 reservoirs, and planted more than two crore trees under its water conservation drive.
