In a high-level meeting held at Lok Seva Bhawan on Thursday, Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja conducted a comprehensive review of the ongoing rural drinking water supply projects across the state.
The meeting, attended by senior officials including Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, Girish S.N., and Director of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Vineet Bhardwaj, focused on ensuring clean drinking water reaches every village and household. District Collectors from all districts participated virtually, underscoring the statewide commitment to this critical initiative.
Chief Secretary Ahuja emphasised that access to potable water is a fundamental need and a top priority for the state government. “Hon’ble Chief Minister has consistently stressed the importance of providing drinking water connections to every village. We must ensure this basic necessity is met with dedication and efficiency,” he stated. He urged the department and district officials to execute these vital projects with utmost sincerity and adhere to designated timelines.
The Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department presented a detailed ‘State Saturation Plan’ outlining strategies to deliver piped water to all villages and households. The plan leverages groundwater-based bore wells, overhead tanks, allocated pipelines, and functional household tap connections to implement Single Village Piped Water Supply (PWS) Projects. To date, 18,677 such projects have been completed, with 1,289 under construction. The department aims to complete 238 projects by June 2025 and 752 by October 2025.
Additionally, 16 mega piped water supply projects have been completed, while 191 are in progress, with a target completion date of March 2027. Solar-powered water supply initiatives are also gaining momentum, with 4,855 projects completed and 3,652 underway, all slated for completion by September 2025.
The meeting also addressed challenges hindering timely project completion, including power connectivity issues, environmental clearances, and coordination with departments like Rural Development, Public Works, Water Resources, Revenue, Railways, and National Highways. The department requested enhanced collaboration to resolve these bottlenecks. District Collectors highlighted that monthly reviews with relevant departmental officers are being conducted at the district level to address ongoing issues, a practice reinforced by regular discussions with the department.
Chief Secretary Ahuja advised District Collectors, Additional District Collectors, and senior officials to conduct field visits to monitor project progress and ensure quality implementation. He also emphasised the active involvement of Block Development Officers (BDOs) in this mission. The meeting reviewed the implementation of the Government of India’s Jal Jeevan Mission in Odisha, aligning state efforts with national goals for universal water access.
Post-meeting, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary and the Director held district-wise discussions with Collectors to address specific project challenges and solutions, ensuring a coordinated approach to meet the ambitious targets.
Odisha’s rural drinking water supply projects are a cornerstone of the state’s development agenda, aiming to transform lives by ensuring clean, reliable water for all. With clear timelines and a focus on accountability, the state is poised to achieve significant milestones in the coming years.
