Odisha Targets Completion of All Mega Rural Water Supply Projects by March 2027

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has set a March 2027 deadline for the completion of all Mega Piped Water Supply (PWS) projects in the state, with Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik directing officials to accelerate execution and eliminate delays in project implementation.

The directive was issued during a high-level review meeting held at the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) in Bhubaneswar, where the Minister assessed the progress of ongoing drinking water projects and reviewed their implementation status.

During the review, officials reported that 36 Mega Piped Water Supply projects have already been completed, expanding access to safe drinking water in several rural areas. In another 50 projects, key infrastructure components such as intake structures and water treatment plants have been completed.

The Minister stressed that the remaining works, particularly distribution networks and household connectivity, must be expedited to ensure that rural communities receive the intended benefits within the stipulated timeframe.

Naik said the completion of Mega PWS projects remains a priority for the state government and directed Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) divisions to closely monitor progress at the field level. He instructed executing agencies to increase manpower deployment wherever required and resolve bottlenecks affecting project timelines.

Warning against delays, the Minister said agencies failing to complete projects within the prescribed schedule would face stringent action. Penalties may be imposed and persistent defaulters could be blacklisted from future government projects, he added.

The review also focused on maintaining construction quality and strengthening monitoring mechanisms to ensure long-term sustainability of the water supply infrastructure being created across the state.

Officials said the Mega PWS projects are expected to play a critical role in providing treated drinking water to rural households, improving public health and reducing dependence on traditional and often unreliable water sources.

The meeting was attended by Departmental Secretary Girish S.N., Drinking Water Director Vinit Bhardwaj, Chief Engineer Ratnakar Sial, superintending engineers from various RWSS divisions and representatives of agencies involved in project execution.

The state government has been investing heavily in rural drinking water infrastructure as part of its efforts to ensure universal access to safe and adequate water supply across Odisha.