Bhubaneswar: Celebrating the spirit of conservation on World Water Day 2026, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched a massive suite of developmental projects worth ₹2,612 crore. During the state-level function held at the Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stones for 17 projects valued at ₹2,292 crore and inaugurated 124 completed projects worth approximately ₹320 crore.
Every Drop is Precious: A Call to the “Water Soldiers”
Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest, CM Mohan Majhi emphasized that every single drop of water is invaluable to millions across the globe. He urged the citizens to take a solemn pledge to prevent water wastage.
“We must instill the value of water conservation in children right from their school days. They are the ‘Water Soldiers’ (Jala Sainika) of our future,” the CM remarked.
He further lauded the Prime Minister’s Jal Jeevan Mission as a revolutionary initiative and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to providing pure piped drinking water to every household to eliminate water scarcity.
Vision for 2036 & 2047: Boosting Agriculture
Aligning with this year’s theme, “Water and Gender Equality,” the CM called for collective action toward water security. Outlining the government’s vision for the agricultural sector, he stated that the goal is to increase Odisha’s cropping intensity to 220% by 2036 and further to 250% by 2047. He highlighted that an additional 2.2 lakh hectares of land have already been brought under irrigation through various government schemes.
Technological Milestones & New Initiatives
The event also marked several significant digital and infrastructural launches:
- “Bindu” AI Chatbot: An AI-powered citizen feedback system to enhance transparency and communication.
- “Kalika” Child Care Centre: Inaugurated at Rajiv Bhawan to support working parents.
- MoU & Publications: A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Department of Water Resources and the Central Water Commission. Additionally, a coffee table book titled “Sujal” and a comprehensive River Map Book were unveiled.
Innovative Infrastructure: Repurposing Old Bridges
During the program, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo proposed a sustainable infrastructure idea. He suggested that instead of demolishing old low-level bridges when constructing higher barrages, the existing structures should be fitted with gates to serve as water conservation units. Taking prompt note of this, the Chief Minister directed departmental officials to conduct a feasibility study and submit a report.
Dignitaries in Attendance
Earlier, the CM and Deputy CM inaugurated “Pratibimba,” a photo exhibition showcasing the achievements of the Water Resources Department. The event was attended by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Principal Secretary of Water Resources Shubha Sharma, and Engineer-in-Chief Lingaraj Gouda, along with other senior officials.
