State Water Resources Board Reviews Progress on Draft Water Policy and Irrigation Targets

Bhubaneswar: A meeting of the State Water Resources Board, Odisha, was held today under the chairpersonship of Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja at the Lokseva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar. The meeting reviewed key initiatives in the water sector, including the formulation of the Draft State Water Policy and strategies to enhance irrigation coverage and efficiency across the State.

Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department, Anu Garg; Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department, Dr. A.K. Padhee; Principal Secretary, Finance Department, S.K. Mishra; and Principal Secretary, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department, S.K. Vashisth, along with senior officers from departments including Energy, Housing & Urban Development, Industries, Steel & Mines, and Revenue & Disaster Management, participated in the meeting.

The Board discussed the progress made toward achieving irrigation coverage of 15 lakh hectares by 2029 and bridging the gap between irrigation potential created and utilized. The use of technology for real-time water measurement in Lift Irrigation Projects (LIPs) was also highlighted. It was further decided to integrate key committees related to water management under the State Water Resources Board to ensure better coordination and policy implementation.

Chief Secretary Ahuja emphasized the need for concerted efforts by the Water Resources Department and all stakeholder departments to achieve the targets set out in Odisha’s Vision Document 2036/2047.

Development Commissioner-cum-ACS Anu Garg outlined the key components of the Draft State Water Policy and detailed the pathways to expand irrigation coverage and enhance utilization efficiency. The Managing Director of OLIC presented the proposed technology framework for real-time monitoring of water use in LIPs, aimed at improving transparency and water management efficiency across the State.