Bhubaneswar,7th Aug 2025: Access to safe and clean drinking water is a fundamental necessity, and the government is fully committed to ensuring its availability to the people of Odisha, said Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik.
He informed that out of 207 major drinking water projects underway in the state, 18 have been completed. The remaining projects are being expedited, and regular monitoring is being done. In case of any deviations, responsibility is being fixed and strict action is taken, he added.
All villages in Nuapada district have been covered under the Har Ghar Jal scheme, marking a significant milestone in rural water supply. The government has prioritized swift completion of these projects.
The Minister announced targets for completion:
- 21 projects by August
- 11 projects by end of September
- 22 projects by December this year
Additionally, the government is considering establishing a corporation for better management of drinking water supply across Odisha.
To ensure safety and quality, regular purification of 5,27,570 tube wells, 21,401 production wells, and 15,155 overhead tanks is being carried out. Out of 29,512 tube wells sanctioned in the previous year, nearly 20,891 have been completed.
The Minister emphasized accountability in all operations. Agencies failing to complete work within the stipulated time will face penalties, and responsibility will also be fixed on concerned officials and staff.