Bhubaneswar: Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Tuesday reviewed the progress of multiple water resource surveys being undertaken across Odisha, including the 7th Minor Irrigation Census, 2nd Census of Waterbodies, 1st Census of Major and Medium Irrigation Projects, and 1st Census of Springs. These exercises are being conducted in all 30 districts to assess the state’s available water resources and their usage.
A central team led by Priyanka Kulshreshtha, Deputy Director General of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, visited Odisha from August 11–12 to oversee the fieldwork. The team inspected census operations in Khurdha and Puri districts and later briefed the Development Commissioner on their observations. Officials from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Central Water Commission, National Institute of Hydrology, Odisha’s Department of Water Resources, and the Directorate of Economics & Statistics participated in the review.
The visiting team expressed satisfaction with the progress so far and assured all possible assistance for the successful completion of the censuses.
Garg directed the Water Resources Department, Planning & Convergence Department, and the Directorate of Economics & Statistics to work in close coordination to meet deadlines. It was decided to complete the fieldwork for the 1st Census of Major and Medium Irrigation Projects by September 15, the 1st Census of Springs by October 2025, and the 2nd Census of Waterbodies and 7th Minor Irrigation Census by December 2025.
