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Odisha Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik urged the citizens on Friday to swiftly report any issues related to drinking water supply to local administrative officers.
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The Minister has stipulated that such problems should be resolved within two to three days. However, for more complex issues, a timeline of up to seven days has been set.
“If there are any occurrences of drinking water issues, immediate communication with the administrative officers is advised,” Minister Naik stated emphatically.
This move comes as part of an initiative to ensure the availability of pure drinking water across communities, responding to frequent water supply disruptions that affect daily life in various regions amid the scorching heat of summer.
“Wherever there is any drinking water crisis, local people should immediately bring it to the attention of administrative officials,” the Panchayati Raj Minister said.
Government's 2026 drinking water target
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced an ambitious plan to provide piped drinking water to all villages by 2026. This flagship initiative aims to address historical disparities in water access, particularly in rural and tribal areas where seasonal shortages exacerbate water insecurity.
Grievance redressal system
Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik has instituted a 7-day resolution timeline for water-related complaints. The system aims to improve responsiveness through real-time monitoring of tube well functionality and water quality.
Impact on rural communities
The crisis disproportionately affects women and agricultural workers in villages like those in Gaisilet, where residents report spending 3-4 hours daily collecting water during peak summer months. This exacerbates economic hardships and health risks from contaminated water sources.
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Infrastructure expansion
The State government is installing 21,300 new tube wells to supplement the existing network of 520,000 groundwater sources. These will be strategically placed in water-stressed regions, with special focus on mitigating summer shortages that typically peak between April-June.
