CM dedicates 100 rural drinking water projects

Bhubaneswar: With scarcity of drinking water emerging as a major concern in the state, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday dedicated 100 rural drinking water supply projects at a function at the state secretariat here.

According to sources, the 100 projects inaugurated today will benefit 1,72,000 people residing in 107 villages across the state.

Talking to newsmen after the dedication programme, Patnaik said, “Today we are celebrating the birthday of Utkala Gaurav Madhusudan Das. I am happy that on this occasion, we have dedicated 100 rural pipe water supply projects in the service of the people of our state.”

“Drinking water has been our priority and we have targeted to cover all our panchayats by 2017 with pipe water supply,” Patnaik added.

Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra said, “The project, being implemented at a cost of Rs 72 crore, will help as many as 1,72,000 people residing in rural areas.”

“Out of 954 projects, we have completed 347 so far. We are targeting to complete all the remaining projects by the end of the 2016-17 financial year,” Mohapatra added.

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