Bhubaneswar: Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja chaired a meeting of the State Water Resources Board at Lok Seva Bhawan, reviewing progress on key initiatives. The meeting discussed the Draft State Water Policy, irrigation coverage targets, and technology adoption in Large Irrigation Projects (LIPs).
The Chief Secretary emphasised concerted efforts to realise the goals set out in the Vision Document-2036/2047, focusing on integrating key committees under Water Resources with the State Water Board. He outlined pathways for achieving irrigation targets and optimising created potential.
The meeting covered the formulation of the Draft State Water Policy, coverage of 15 lakh hectares under irrigation by 2029, bridging the gap between irrigation potential created and utilised, and real-time measurement of water in LIPs using technology.
Besides, Anu Garg, the Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Water Resources, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, A&FE, S.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary, Finance, S.K. Vashisth Principal Secretary, F&ARD and other senior officers of the departments of WR, Energy, H&UD, Industries, Steel & Mines, R&DM, etc. also attended the meeting.
