In a decisive step towards ending water scarcity in cities, the Odisha government has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to deliver round-the-clock drinking water to every urban household.
A high-level review of the Public Health Engineering Organisation’s (PHEO) Annual Action Plan for 2026–29, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development, Usha Padhee, IAS, has fast-tracked the rollout under the flagship SUJALA programme.
By 2026, the projected population of Odisha’s 86 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) will touch 31.5 lakh. Currently, these cities receive a combined 452 million litres per day (MLD) of drinking water. The government is now shifting gears from partial coverage to full 24×7 service.
Phased Rollout Gains Momentum
Nine ULBs have already been brought under 24×7 supply in 2025–26. In the coming year, 38 more ULBs will join the list, with another 38 scheduled for 2027–28 — taking the state close to universal coverage by 2028.
Massive Investment Under SUJALA
A total of 544 water supply projects have been sanctioned under SUJALA so far, of which 289 are already complete. For 2026–27, the government has rolled over 391 projects — including 102 brand-new initiatives — with an estimated outlay of Rs 1,500 crore. Another 92 projects worth Rs 978 crore are lined up for 2027–28. These projects will strengthen source augmentation, distribution networks, and storage infrastructure across the state.
ACS Padhee directed officials to ensure accelerated spending and timely completion. “We are not just building pipes — we are building a future where every urban family gets clean, reliable water 24 hours a day,” she emphasised.
Sustainability First
The Additional Chief Secretary also sounded a strong note on water conservation. She instructed officials to identify and develop alternative water sources so that treated drinking water is not wasted on gardening, vehicle washing, or construction.
The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary Shri Subhananda Mohapatra, FA-cum-Additional Secretary Smt. Sikha Biswal, Engineer-in-Chief (PHEO) Shri Bilas Behera, and senior officers of the department.
With this aggressive push, Odisha is set to become one of the leading states in India to achieve universal 24×7 urban drinking water supply — a promise that will directly transform the daily lives of millions.
