Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has reiterated its commitment to providing piped water supply to all villages in the state by the end of March 2027, with Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik on Thursday reviewing the progress of drinking water projects across the state.
Addressing the media at Lok Seva Bhavan after a review meeting with Drinking Water Director Vinit Bhardwaj, the minister said significant progress has been achieved under various pipe water supply and rural drinking water initiatives.
According to official data, out of 207 Mega Pipe Water Supply Projects undertaken in the state, 33 projects have already been completed, bringing pipe water supply to 2,402 villages. Another 14 projects are expected to be completed by the end of May, extending coverage to an additional 1,331 villages.
The minister said partial work has been completed in 35 other Mega Pipe Water Supply Projects, through which pipe water is already being supplied to 3,210 villages.
He further informed that 18,552 Single Village Schemes (SVS) have been completed so far, ensuring access to safe drinking water in rural areas. In addition, 6,369 Solar Pipe Water Supply Projects have also been completed across the state.
To address seasonal water scarcity, the government has sanctioned 37,876 tube wells since 2024 in different parts of Odisha. During the current year, 629 water tankers have been deployed in water-stressed regions to ensure uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water.
The department has also opened 8,281 water sheds, locally known as “Jal Chhatra”, in rural areas for public convenience during the summer season.
Overall, 20,875 villages in Odisha have so far been brought under pipe water supply coverage, while water is being supplied through stand posts in another 7,042 villages, the minister said.
Naik said the state government is taking all necessary measures to achieve universal pipe water connectivity in rural Odisha within the stipulated timeline of March 2027.
