Minister admits acute shortage of water in Odisha

28 March, Bhubaneswar

Odisha Rural Development Minister Badrinarayan Patra Monday admitted acute shortage of water in the state and said the government has planned to provide water through pipe in the entire state in phases through mega pipe water scheme.

In the initial stage, Rs 26,000 crore had been estimated for the purpose, Mr Patra said while replying to a debate in the Odisha Assembly on the admissibility of an adjournment motion on water crisis moved by the Opposition.

The Minister said acute shortage of water in the state could not be denied, adding that the ground water level was going down and the scheme for the Roof top management of rain water was not being implemented properly. He also admitted the mismanagement in the digging and repairmen of tube wells.

Describing the situation as alarming, Patra said a change of attitude from the top to bottom is needed to improve the situation. The construction of more check dams, conservation of forest is also needed to tide over the situation, he added.

He further said tender had been invited to provide safe water to 18 fluoride affected villages Nuapada district and 18 villages of Golamunda block of Kalahandi district at a cost of Rs 752 crore.BM