Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has reiterated its commitment to providing safe and clean drinking water to every resident in the state.
According to Rabi Narayan Naik, Minister of Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water, and Rural Development, a total of 207 mega drinking water projects are currently underway across Odisha, out of which 18 have been fully completed. The minister stated that the construction of the remaining projects has been expedited and is being closely monitored to ensure timely delivery.
Emphasizing accountability, Naik warned that any discrepancies—however minor—will be thoroughly investigated, and both agencies and officials found responsible for delays or substandard work will face appropriate action. The state government is determined to ensure that the execution of these projects does not suffer due to negligence or inefficiency.
In a major development, the minister announced that all villages in Nuapada district have been brought under the ‘Har Ghar Jal Yojana,’ marking a historic milestone in the state’s efforts to ensure universal access to drinking water in rural areas. The government has set clear timelines to accelerate progress, with 21 projects targeted for completion in August, 11 more by the end of September, and another 22 scheduled to be completed by December 2025.
To ensure better long-term management and delivery of drinking water, the state is also considering the establishment of a dedicated Water Corporation. The minister noted that this move is aimed at improving efficiency, service quality, and oversight across the water supply network.
In addition to large-scale projects, the government continues its sanitation and maintenance drive to ensure the safety of drinking water sources. A total of 5,27,570 tube wells and sanitary wells, 21,401 production wells, and 15,155 overhead tanks are being regularly sanitized. Out of the 29,512 tube wells approved in the previous year, 20,891 have already reached near completion.
Naik stressed that timely implementation remains a top priority for the government. Any agency that fails to complete its assigned work within the stipulated deadline will be penalized, and accountability will also be fixed on the officers and staff responsible for supervision and execution.
The minister reaffirmed that the state government will not tolerate delays or lapses in delivering a basic necessity like clean drinking water.
