In a decisive push toward sustainable urban management and public health, the Housing and Urban Development Department of the Government of Odisha has officially launched the ‘Sujala’ campaign.
The 15-day statewide initiative, running from October 2 to October 16, 2026, was inaugurated today by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, in Bhubaneswar.
Organised under the aegis of WATCO (Water Corporation of Odisha), the campaign aims to foster profound public awareness regarding water conservation, the use of safe drinking water, and the prevention of waterborne diseases.
Core Objectives and Key Messages
The campaign operates under the powerful motto: “Water Conservation—Today’s Necessity, Tomorrow’s Destiny.” It highlights the critical need to curb water wastage, protect existing water resources, and secure water availability for future generations.
Addressing public health concerns, the campaign also focuses on the theme “Contaminated Water is the Root Cause of Diseases.” Citizens are being educated about the risks of waterborne illnesses such as diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, and jaundice. Key preventive health measures are being emphasised, including:
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Keeping drinking water in clean, covered containers.
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Protecting local water sources from pollution.
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Maintaining rigorous standards of domestic hygiene.
Actionable Steps for Citizens
To translate conservation into daily habits, the campaign encourages residents to adopt simple yet impactful practices:
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Shutting off taps immediately when not in use.
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Promptly repairing pipe leaks to prevent wastage.
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Refraining from dumping waste near water bodies like rivers, ponds, and tube wells.
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Promoting rainwater harvesting and regular cleaning of overhead and underground water storage tanks.
Helpline and Leadership Presence
Reinforcing the idea that “Water supply is our responsibility, water conservation is your duty,” the government has urged active public participation. For water-related grievances and support, citizens can reach out to the department’s toll-free helplines at 155359 and 1800-1216-833.
The inaugural ceremony witnessed the presence of MLA Babu Singh as the Guest of Honour, alongside Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Health Engineering Organisation (PHEO) Bilas Behera, WATCO Managing Director Debabrata Mohapatra, and other senior department officials.
The Government of Odisha has called upon all citizens to actively embrace the ‘Sujala’ movement to build clean, healthy, and sustainable urban communities across the state.
