Odisha CM launches Mission-Sujal to ensure quality drinking water in urban areas
BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday virtually launched the “Drink from the tap Mission-Sujal”, an initiative under the 5T model of governance, that aimed to ensure 24×7 safe and quality drinking water to the people in urban areas.
While Naveen launched the mission in Bhubaneswar and Puri benefitting 1.8 lakh people, the initiative will also be launched in 15 more urban areas in the next phase benefitting more than 15 lakh people. The state government will spend Rs 1300 crore for the purpose, said an official statement issued by the chief minister’s office.
The mission was launched at Salia Sahi slum in the city and at Masanichandi sahi in Puri.
“In developed countries, people use water directly from the tap as it is safe and pure. There is no need to boil the water or to use water purifier to filter the water,” said Naveen adding Odisha is the first state in the country to have launched the mission.
As tourists from across the globe come to Puri and use plastic bottle to drink water, the Sujal mission will help to reduce the plastic pollution in the pilgrim town.
The Sujal mission includes a 24×7 grievance redressal mechanism and arrangement for quick response team to address the water supply complaints. There will be mobile water testing laboratory to measure the quality of water in different areas.
While stating that 100 per cent household water supply connection has been achieved in four urban areas in the state-Bhubaneswar, Gopalpur, Digapahandi and Kashinagar, Naveen said the state government has planned to make pipe water available to all urban households by March, 2022.
The chief minister lauded the women self-help group members, working as Jal Saathi in urban areas to ensure safe drinking water. Water testing equipment was given to the Jal Saathis on the occasion.
State housing and urban development minister Pratap Jena, who joined the launching ceremony through videoconferencing from Bhadrak, said the state government has planned to ensure safe and quality drinking water to all households in 114 urban areas in the state.
Union urban and housing affairs secretary Durga Shankar Mishra, who attended the programme from New Delhi, also lauded the initiative of the state.