Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated 100 rural drinking water projects

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on 28 April 2016 inaugurated 100 piped water supply projects for rural areas. The CM also pledged to make piped water provision in all gram panchayats by 2017.

The project was inaugurated on the occasion of Utkal Gaurab Madhusudan Das’ anniversary.  Das was the first graduate and advocate of Odisha.

Earlier on 20 April 2016, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had dedicated 100 urban drinking water supply projects in the state.

In early April 2016, the state government also announced that it will sink a tubewell in each of the 27711 areas spending around 195 crore rupees. In rural areas all gram panchayats have been asked to spend 30 per cent of the panchayat funds towards piped water supply.

Key highlights of 100 piped water supply projects

• The 100 projects will benefit 172000 people residing in 107 villages across the state.

• The project is made at an estimated cost of 72 crore rupees.

Water crisis in Odisha

• In 2016, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) township is experiencing a massive drinking water crisis. It is due to the drying up of the River Koel, which provides water to the city.

• Against a demand of 15.5 million gallons per day, RSP is able to supply less than half to its employees.

• In Keonjhar, two kids allegedly died after drinking contaminated water.

• Several tribal settlements around Byree area of Jajpur district are being provided with water tankers by private donors.

• In 2015, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) found that drinking water in adequate quantity was not supplied to people in 95 out of 106 urban areas of the state.

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