Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Monday approved the revised Buxi Jagabandhu Assured Water Supply to Habitations (BASUDHA) scheme, with a State-funded outlay of Rs 5,045 crore for implementation from 2026-27 to 2028-29.
The revised scheme aims to strengthen rural drinking water services across the State by addressing gaps in coverage, incomplete water supply projects, water quality concerns, infrastructure deficiencies, source sustainability and emerging climate-related risks.
Under the revised BASUDHA scheme, comprehensive funding support will be provided for rural piped water supply projects that fall beyond the scope of existing Central and State schemes. The initiative will also focus on providing drinking water infrastructure to left-out rural habitations and completing incomplete water supply projects.
The scheme provides for the augmentation and modernisation of existing water supply systems to improve service delivery and protect public investments made in the sector.
A major focus has also been placed on water quality monitoring. The government plans to strengthen surveillance through laboratories, Field Testing Kits (FTKs), mobile laboratories and Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled monitoring systems.
The revised scheme will further promote climate-resilient and energy-efficient technologies in the rural water supply sector. Technology-enabled monitoring systems, command and control centres, social audits and citizen grievance redressal mechanisms will also be established to improve transparency, monitoring and accountability.
The scheme places enhanced emphasis on water conservation, the sustainability of water sources, capacity building and greater community participation.
According to the Cabinet decision, BASUDHA is aimed at ensuring universal access to safe and sustainable drinking water in rural Odisha. It is expected to improve service delivery, strengthen water quality management and promote long-term water security through resilient and sustainable infrastructure.
The Cabinet has authorised the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department to issue the necessary operational guidelines and administrative instructions for the implementation of the revised scheme.
