Odisha Cabinet approves the Rural Drinking Water O&M Policy 2026. CS Anu Garg outlines the roadmap for sustainable water supply across 21,000 villages using IoT & SCADA
OdishaPlus Bureau
The Odisha Cabinet has approved the Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Policy for Rural Drinking Water Supply – 2026, a landmark decision that strengthens our commitment to sustainable and reliable drinking water services in rural areas. Over the last few years, Odisha has made remarkable progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission and State initiatives in providing Functional Household Tap Connections to rural households. We have created extensive infrastructure, including Single Village Schemes, Solar-Based Systems, and Mega Piped Water Supply Projects across the state.
However, infrastructure creation is only the first step. Ensuring that these systems remain functional, efficient, and financially sustainable over time is equally important. The newly approved O&M Policy provides a comprehensive framework to guarantee an uninterrupted water supply, strict compliance with drinking water quality standards, preventive maintenance of assets, and transparent financial management. It clearly defines the responsibilities of RWSS, District authorities, Gram Panchayats, and Village Water & Sanitation Committees, thereby strengthening decentralized governance and community ownership.
The policy also introduces structured user charge mechanisms, dedicated O&M funds at the village level, regular water quality testing, digital monitoring through SCADA and IoT-based systems, and a centralized Command & Control Centre for real-time oversight. It includes safeguards such as preventive maintenance schedules, asset management systems, grievance redressal timelines, and disaster preparedness measures to ensure service continuity.
Importantly, this policy safeguards the substantial public investment made in rural drinking water infrastructure and ensures that “Har Ghar Jal” in Odisha is not merely achieved but sustained. It has been designed to be implemented within existing financial provisions and does not create additional permanent financial liability on the State exchequer. With this decision, Odisha moves into the next phase of rural water supply management— focusing on sustainability, accountability, and service excellence.
Our objective is clear: every rural household must not only have a tap connection but must receive safe, reliable, and adequate drinking water every day. During the tenure of the incumbent Government, significant progress has been made in strengthening rural drinking water infrastructure across the State.Atotalof27MegaPiped Water Supply Projects have been completed during this period. In addition, trunk infrastructure such as Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) and intake structures has been completed in 82 projects, enabling commencement of water supply to villages. Further, 3,046 single-village water supply projects and 2,702 solar-based water supply projects have been completed in this period.
As a result of these efforts, the number of Villages getting water through Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) has increased from 6032 to more than 21,000 villages during this period. As an additional source of water supply, 28,741 tubewells have also been installed by the present Government. The Government has also taken strict action against executing agencies where the progress of works was found unsatisfactory. Penalties amounting to nearly Rs.1,120 crore have been imposed across Mega and Small Piped Water Supply Projects, and FIRs have been lodged where necessary.