BHUBANESWAR: In a decisive move to ensure universal access to clean water, Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg has issued strict directives to expedite the completion of mega drinking water supply projects across the state. The order comes following a high-level review meeting where it was revealed that a significant number of projects remain unfinished despite being initiated several years ago.
According to official data, only 26 out of the 207 sanctioned mega drinking water projects have been fully completed to date. While work on 134 projects has crossed the 50 percent mark, 47 projects are still languishing in their preliminary stages. These initiatives are funded through various schemes, including the Jal Jeevan Mission, Vasudha, the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), and mineral fund allocations like OMBADC and DMF.
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During the review, the Chief Secretary expressed concern over the regional delays, specifically pointing out that 15 projects are pending in Rayagada, 11 in Mayurbhanj, and 10 in Sundargarh. She directed departmental heads and engineers to identify the specific bottlenecks causing these delays—whether related to land acquisition, forest clearances, or technical hurdles—and to establish a strict timeline for their immediate resolution.
Beyond the mega projects, the state’s progress on smaller-scale rural water infrastructure was also scrutinized. While 18,233 piped water projects and 6,435 solar-powered tube wells have been successfully commissioned, hundreds of others remain in various stages of construction. The Chief Secretary emphasized that the goal is to ensure every household in rural Odisha receives a reliable supply of potable water, urging officials to prioritize the completion of 872 pending piped water projects and over 2,000 solar-run tube wells.