The Housing and Urban Development Department reviewed the Water Security Plan for Bhubaneswar and adjoining areas. WATCO prepared the plan to address future urban demand.
Principal Secretary Smt. Usha Padhee chaired the meeting at Kharabela Bhawan with Additional Secretary Subhananda Mohapatra, WATCO Managing Director Debabrata Mohanty, and other senior officials. She directed WATCO to prioritise ongoing and proposed water supply projects and complete them within stipulated timelines. She stressed the need to consider Bhubaneswar’s rapid population growth and urban expansion.
Debabrata Mohanty presented details on the current water supply scenario, the demand–supply gap, and infrastructure augmentation plans. He aligned the proposals with the vision of Viksit Odisha @2036 and Viksit Bharat @2047. He highlighted operational challenges and announced that WATCO will escalate them to higher authorities for resolution.
Smt. Padhee instructed WATCO to conduct a comprehensive survey of Urban Local Bodies across Odisha. She emphasised the need to focus on areas that face acute drinking water shortages during summer. The survey will assess source sustainability, treatment and storage capacity, distribution efficiency, and peak demand. The government will use the findings to plan targeted investments.
Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation’s population grew from 8.40 lakh in 2011 to an estimated 13.03 lakh in 2025. Current water demand stands at 304 MLD, while supply capacity reaches 238.50 MLD. The city manages the 65.50 MLD gap through groundwater. Six Water Treatment Plants at Mundali, Palasuni, Chandrasekharpur, Naharkanta, Bhuasuni, and High-Level Tank systems draw water from the Mahanadi, Kuakhai, and Daya rivers.
Future augmentation includes a 130 MLD WTP at Mundali that WATCO will commission within six months, a 20 MLD WTP at Naharkanta by 2028, and a proposal to lift 1000 MLD of raw water from the Mahanadi River at Mundali for the next 50 years. WATCO also plans an additional 400 MLD WTP under Viksit Bharat @2047.
WATCO will ensure water supply to all apartments and institutions in Bhubaneswar once the 130 MLD Mundali WTP begins operation. The State Government reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable, reliable, and future-ready water infrastructure.
