Odisha’s Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary (DC-cum-ACS), Anu Garg, reviewed the progress of four critical water resource censuses: the 7th Minor Irrigation Census, the 2nd Census of Waterbodies, the 1st Census of Major & Medium Irrigation Projects, and the 1st Census of Springs.
Conducted across all 30 districts, these censuses aim to survey and assess Odisha’s water resources to optimise their utilisation and support sustainable development.
A Central Team, led by Ms. Priyanka Kulshreshtha, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, visited Odisha on August 11-12, 2025, to oversee fieldwork in Khurdha and Puri districts. The team commended Odisha’s progress and pledged full support for the timely completion of these initiatives.
The review meeting saw participation from key stakeholders, including officials from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Central Water Commission, National Institute of Hydrology, Odisha’s Department of Water Resources, and the Directorate of Economics & Statistics.
Garg emphasised the need for close coordination among the Water Resources Department, Planning & Convergence Department, and Directorate of Economics & Statistics to ensure the success of these censuses. She outlined clear timelines: fieldwork for the 1st Census of Major & Medium Irrigation Projects is to be completed by September 15, 2025; the 1st Census of Springs by October 2025; and both the 2nd Census of Waterbodies and the 7th Minor Irrigation Census by December 2025.
These efforts are expected to provide critical data to enhance water resource management and support Odisha’s agricultural and environmental goals.
The state’s proactive approach and the Central Team’s endorsement highlight Odisha’s commitment to addressing water challenges through data-driven strategies, setting a model for sustainable resource management nationwide.
