Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched the 24×7 ‘drink-from-tap’ project in 19 cities of the state under the 5T initiative.
Patnaik launched the 24×7 ‘drink-from-tap’ projects in 19 cities–Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Nimapada, Berhampur, Gopalpur, Rourkela, Sundergarh, Birmitrapur, Rajgangpur, Keonjhar, Joda, Badbil, Champua, Anandpur, Baripada, Rairangpur, Udala, Karanjia and Vyasanagar from the convention hall of Lok Seva Bhawan. As many as 5.50 lakh people in these cities will benefit from these projects.
It is worthwhile to mention here that earlier under the 5T initiative, everyone in Puri got ‘drink-from-tap’ facility. From today Gopalpur became the second city in the state where 100 per cent people have access to drink-from-tap system.
Apart from this, the Chief Minister announced the start of the drink-from-tap programme for the cities of Khurda, Jatni and Hinjilikatu. As many as 1.50 lakh people in these three cities will be benefited.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that providing safe drinking water to every family was his long-time dream and it has always been the priority of his government.
Adding 19 cities to drink-from-tap service, the Chief Minister called it a historic day.
Stating that water is precious to all of us, the Chief Minister appealed to the public not to waste even a single drop of water, while appealing for using it properly.
Chief Minister said that water is life, and adding drinkable water is most important for public health and convenience of daily life.
The Chief Minister said that this facility under the 5T initiative will significantly improve the standard of living of the people.
Today the cities of Odisha have been added to the system adhered to in big cities of the world and are getting drinkable water as per the standards of the Bureau of Indian Standards, he added. He thanked WATCO for this service.
Participating in the programme, Housing and Urban Development Minister Usha Devi said that due to the vision and strong leadership of the Chief Minister, the people of Odisha are getting better quality services today. While stating that supplying clean drinking water is an important programme of the state government, she highlighted programmes undertaken by her department.
Oversight Authority of OMBDAC Justice Anant Patnaik said that as required by the nature of his work, he often visits mining area. While stating that he has experienced the problem faced by people for water in those areas, he said today remarkable work has been done in the field of drinking water. He said that the role of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is really commendable.
In the programme, while Principal Secretary, of Housing and Urban Development Department G Mathivathanan delivered the welcome address, WATCO CEO PK Swain gave the vote of thanks.
Among others, Minister Ashok Panda, Mayor of Bhubaneswar Sulochana Das, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, Secretary to CM (5T) V K Pandian and other senior officials attended the programme.
