Bhubaneswar, Feb 10: In a bid to provide drinking water facilities, Odisha Government will install tube wells across the state, said Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik.

The Panchayati Raj Minister said that drinking water is a major issue for many during summer season. “The previous government had stopped the process of installing tube wells. Our government is committed to ensuring that no one is deprived of water, especially drinking water,” he asserted.

Odisha Govt’s plan

The state government will also install one tube well in villages with a population of 70 people or less. Villages with more than 70 population will have two tube wells per village.

For this, the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department has written a letter February 6 to all the district collectors and the people concerned.

“The previous government did not pay for drinking water projects. However, the district collectors have been informed that the department will pay for the projects,” explained Minister Naik.

In addition, he also assured that the government will provide water through tankers if any district administration faces issues. “District Collectors have been given powers provide water through tankers,” the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Minister added.

72 drinking water projects by March

In coastal areas, fresh water from tube wells is getting exhausted after 10 years. Keeping this issue in mind, the state government has planned to construct supporting embankments in the villages where saline water is used. In addition, the government is also working on recharging ground water.

The government “is committed” to complete 72 drinking water projects by March 2025. “Every house will have drinking water,” stated Minister Naik.
He also informed that, out of 207 projects, mega projects will be completed by March 2026. The government has signed three to four agreements in this regard. “The Rural Water Supply & Sanitation (RWSS) is working on it,” Naik said.

Sarpanches and District Collectors have also been given authority to supply drinking water to remote and peri-urban areas through the District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM). The Panchayati Raj Minister said that the proposals received during the hearing will also “be considered”.

Govt giving importance to drinking water

The state government will provide clean drinking water to the people through Jal Jeevan Mission, Vasudha, Single Project and Solar Project in the summer.

Ministers and officials of various departments are visiting various villages. The government is also in talks with various agencies in this regard.

In some areas, there are problems with the permit from forest department and the railway department. The issue is being discussed with the concerned departments.

Some proposals have also been made to the Central Government in view of some areas being in the Wildlife Division.

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