Odisha Cabinet clears O&M Policy to strengthen rural drinking water services

Bhubaneswar, : In a significant move to ensure sustainable and reliable drinking water supply in rural areas, the Odisha Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has approved the Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Policy for Rural Drinking Water Supply – 2026.

The policy aims to strengthen long-term functionality and efficiency of rural water infrastructure created under the Jal Jeevan Mission and various state initiatives. While Odisha has made notable progress in providing Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC), the government emphasized that maintaining these systems is equally crucial.

According to an official statement, the new policy provides a comprehensive framework for uninterrupted water supply, strict adherence to quality standards, and preventive maintenance of infrastructure. It also introduces structured user charges, dedicated O&M funds at the village level, and regular water quality testing supported by digital monitoring systems.

Key provisions include preventive maintenance schedules, asset management systems, time-bound grievance redressal, and disaster preparedness measures to ensure continuity of services. The policy is designed to safeguard public investment in rural water infrastructure and ensure the sustainability of the “Har Ghar Jal” initiative.

Importantly, the policy will be implemented within existing financial provisions and will not impose any additional permanent financial burden on the state exchequer.

The government highlighted its achievements in rural water infrastructure during its current tenure. A total of 27 Mega Piped Water Supply Projects have been completed, along with trunk infrastructure such as Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) and intake systems in 82 projects.

Additionally, 3,046 single-village water supply projects and 2,702 solar-based systems have been completed. These efforts have significantly increased the number of villages with tap water connections from 6,032 to over 21,000.

To further augment water supply, 28,741 tube wells have been installed across the state.

The government has also taken strict action against underperforming executing agencies, imposing penalties of nearly Rs. 1,120 crore and filing FIRs wherever necessary.

With the approval of the O&M Policy, Odisha enters a new phase of rural water management focused on sustainability, accountability, and service excellence, aiming to ensure safe and adequate drinking water for every rural household on a daily basis.