Water Resources Department Told to Accelerate Project Delivery and Strengthen Workforce

Bhubaneswar: With the state’s irrigation and water infrastructure projects entering a crucial phase, the Water Resources Department has been directed to ramp up execution and streamline internal operations. Chairing a comprehensive review meeting on Tuesday, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Anu Garg assessed the status of various schemes and issued clear instructions for fast-tracking pending work.

The meeting brought together senior engineers and officials to evaluate progress on a range of initiatives including major and medium irrigation projects, lift and mega lift irrigation schemes, and other ongoing construction activities across Odisha.

Garg called on department heads to expedite pending approvals, remove procedural bottlenecks, and ensure that construction timelines are met without delays. She also highlighted the need to scale up expenditure in alignment with budget allocations, underscoring that performance must be measured not just by fund utilization but also by visible impact on the ground.

Vacancies within the department came under sharp focus, with the ACS stressing that unfilled positions were affecting the pace of delivery. She urged officials to take immediate steps to recruit and redeploy personnel wherever necessary, so that each branch functions with optimal efficiency.

Calling for a more accountable and cooperative work culture, Garg encouraged teams to work with renewed sincerity and coordination to improve service delivery. The department, she said, must strive for measurable outcomes that reflect Odisha’s broader developmental goals in the water resources sector.