State’s tap water coverage: Over 68L rural households connected, 20L await connections

Kendrapada: Tap water connections are now available to 68.38 lakh rural households out of 88.65 lakh in Odisha, with around 20.27 lakh still waiting for the facility, minister of state for Jal Shakti V.

Somanna in Rajya Sabha on Monday.Replying to a question from Rajya Sabha member Sujeet Kumar, the minister said so far no district in Odisha has been certified as Har Ghar Jal by the state govt. To achieve 100 per cent coverage through continued implementation of mission with focus on quality of infrastructure and O&M of rural piped water supply schemes for long-term sustainability and citizen centric water service delivery, the finance minister during budget speech 2025 announced extension of JJM until 2028 with enhanced total outlay.To strengthen the structural measures of flood management, the Union govt is implementing “Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP)” for providing central assistance to states for works related to flood control, drainage development, anti-sea erosion, etc.Altogether nine flood management projects of Odisha with an estimated cost of Rs 19.07 crore in Mahanadi and Subarnarekha basins have been included under Flood Management Programme (FMP) component of FMBAP for central funding and central assistance amounting to Rs.

14.3 crore have been released for these projects to the Odisha govt since its inception during XI Plan, added the minister.To ensure long-term sustainability of infrastructure created under JJM, quality material and quality construction is ensured through third party inspection before making payment to contractors.Further, for enabling the local village community to play their role in planning, implementation and to shoulder the responsibility of operation and maintenance, Nal Jal Mitra Programme (NJMP) has been launched in collaboration with ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship to equip them with a comprehensive set of skills & develop “Nal Jal Mitras”, so that they can function as scheme operators and are able to carry out minor repairs and maintenance, including preventive maintenance, of the piped water supply schemes in their village as skilled masons, plumbers, fitters, electricians, motor mechanics, pump operators, etc, added the minister.Drinking water is a state subject, and hence, the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the JJM, lies with states/UTs. The Union govt supports states by providing technical and financial assistance, added the minister.