Bhubaneswar: A high-level delegation from the Indore Municipal Corporation on Friday held strategic discussions with Odisha officials after an exposure visit to study the state’s urban water reforms, with a focus on replicating the ‘Drink From Tap’ (DFT) initiative and 24×7 water supply systems.
The delegation, led by Indore Municipal Commissioner Kshitij Singhal, met Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee at Unnati Bhawan to explore the scalability of Odisha’s model, which is being implemented by Water Corporation of Odisha.
During the meeting, Padhee highlighted that Odisha’s urban transformation is anchored in a combination of advanced technology and strong community engagement. She said the state is open to sharing its best practices and added that the Odisha Urban Academy is ready to support capacity building and training for cities seeking to adopt similar systems.
The consultation followed a series of field visits by the Indore team. In Puri—the first city in India to provide 24×7 safe drinking water—the delegation inspected the Water Treatment Plant and interacted with Jala Sathis, gaining insights into the role of community participation in ensuring sustainability and inclusive service delivery.
In Bhubaneswar, the team visited Salia Sahi to observe models designed for urban informal settlements, ensuring equitable access to drinking water. They also toured the SCADA-based Command and Control Centre, where real-time monitoring of water supply, smart metering and automated quality checks ensure uninterrupted services.
Singhal praised the Odisha model, noting that the integration of technology with grassroots participation offers valuable lessons for Indore. Officials from WATCO emphasised that while robust infrastructure enables continuous supply, sustained public awareness and community involvement are key to the success of the ‘Drink From Tap’ initiative.
