Odisha Steps Up Rural Drinking Water Drive: Chief Secretary Reviews Progress of Key Projects

Bhubaneswar: Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to providing safe drinking water to every household, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja on Thursday reviewed the progress of various rural drinking water supply projects across Odisha. The high-level meeting, held at Lok Seva Bhavan, brought together senior officials from the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, including Commissioner-cum-Secretary Girish S.N. and Director Vineet Bhardwaj. District Collectors participated virtually to provide ground-level updates.

During the review, Chief Secretary Ahuja underscored that access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right and a top priority of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s administration. He urged officials to expedite project implementation with sincerity and ensure timely delivery of services to rural populations.

The meeting included a comprehensive presentation on the State Saturation Plan, which aims to ensure piped drinking water access in every village and household. Officials detailed the diverse range of projects underway, including:

• 18,677 Single Village Piped Water Supply (PWS) projects already completed

• 1,289 PWS projects currently under construction

• 16 Mega Piped Water Projects completed, with 191 ongoing

• 4,855 solar-powered projects completed, and 3,652 in progress

The department has set specific targets for the coming months:

• 238 PWS projects to be completed by June 2025

• 752 PWS projects by October 2025

• All 3,652 solar-powered projects by September 2025

• All ongoing mega drinking water projects by March 2027

Progress and challenges in individual districts were reviewed in detail. Special attention was given to mega projects in the Deo block and other regions where implementation is already underway.

Ahuja stressed the importance of interdepartmental coordination to resolve issues related to electricity supply, environmental clearances, and land acquisition. He called for stronger collaboration with departments such as Rural Development, Public Works, Water Resources, Railways, and the National Highways Authority to overcome bottlenecks.

District Collectors reported that monthly review meetings are being held to monitor progress and troubleshoot issues. They assured that regular coordination with line departments is helping address challenges on the ground.

The Chief Secretary directed District Collectors, Additional District Collectors, and senior officials to conduct frequent field visits to track progress, especially on mega and solar-powered projects. He also emphasized the active involvement of Block Development Officers (BDOs) in the monitoring and execution process.

The meeting concluded with district-wise discussions led by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary and Director, focusing on local challenges and practical solutions to accelerate the delivery of drinking water services under the Jal Jeevan Mission and other state initiatives.