Odisha Accelerates 24×7 Urban Water Supply with Massive SUJALA Boost
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has unveiled an ambitious plan to ensure round‑the‑clock drinking water supply to all urban households by 2028 under its flagship SUJALA programme.
Currently, the state’s 86 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) serve 31.5 lakh residents with 452 million litres per day (MLD) of water.
The rollout is being executed in phases: nine ULBs already covered in 2025–26, 38 more slated for 2026–27, and another 38 by 2027–28, moving towards universal coverage.
To achieve this, the government has sanctioned 544 projects, of which 289 are complete.
In 2026–27 alone, 391 projects—including 102 new ones—worth Rs 1,500 crore will be taken up, followed by 92 projects worth Rs 978 crore in 2027–28.
Officials have been directed to strengthen water sources, distribution networks, and storage systems while also developing alternative sources to avoid wastage of treated water on non‑essential uses such as gardening, vehicle washing, and construction.
Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee emphasised that the initiative is not just about infrastructure but about building a future where every urban family enjoys a reliable, clean water supply 24×7.
This massive investment and phased expansion position Odisha as a national leader in universal urban drinking water access.
