BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the state-level World Water Day celebrations at the Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre on Sunday. During the event, he emphasized the vital importance of water conservation and highlighted the state's ambitious goals for agricultural and drinking water security. 
Odisha CM Launches ₹2,612 Cr Water Projects: 2047 Irrigation Goals Set


Massive Investment in Water Infrastructure

The Chief Minister launched several water resource projects worth a total of ₹2,612 crore. This major investment includes:
  • Foundation Stones: ₹2,292 crore allocated for 17 new projects.
  • Inaugurations: ₹320 crore spent on 124 completed projects now dedicated to the public.
Chief Minister Majhi stated that water is a precious resource. He urged every citizen to take a pledge not to waste a single drop. "The message of water conservation must reach every household," he said.

Focus on Gender Equality and Agriculture

The theme for this year’s World Water Day is "Water and Gender Equality." The Chief Minister explained that women play a central role in water management. To support this, the state is training women and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) as "Jalasathis" to test water quality and manage local supplies.
The government has set bold targets for the future of Odisha:
  • Irrigation Goal: The state aims to provide irrigation to over 90% of farmland by 2047.
  • Current Progress: In the last 19 months, 2.2 lakh hectares of land have received new irrigation facilities.
  • Cropping Intensity: The government plans to increase crop intensity to 220% by 2036 and 250% by 2047.
  • Drinking Water: The target is to provide piped pure drinking water to all regions by March 2027 through the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Innovative Tools and Collaborations

The event marked the launch of "Bindu," an AI-powered chatbot designed to collect feedback from citizens. The Chief Minister also inaugurated "Kalika," a childcare center at Rajiv Bhawan.
To improve technical cooperation, the Department of Water Resources signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Water Commission. Additionally, a coffee table book titled "Sujala" and a new river map book were released.

Conservation and Future Policy

Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo suggested a creative way to save water. He proposed using old low-level bridges as barrages by installing gates instead of demolishing them. The Chief Minister directed officials to study this proposal immediately.
The Chief Minister concluded by saying that children should be trained as "Water Soldiers" from a young age. By saving rainwater and protecting groundwater, Odisha aims to become a water-secure and prosperous state.