The Business Bytes
New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, October 22, 2024 (TBB Bureau): Odisha has been honoured with the prestigious, securing the top rank in the Best State category for its outstanding efforts in water resources conservation and management. The award was presented by President Draupadi Murmu during a ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg received the prestigious award from the President on behalf of the Odisha government, underscoring the state’s significant progress in water management initiatives over the past year.
Notable achievements include the development of 369 million cubic metres of water storage through the completion of major projects like the Lower Suktel and Haldia dams, aimed at addressing irrigation and drinking water needs.
Odisha’s commitment to conservation is evident in the progress of 28 Instream Storage Structures (ISS), along with 18 additional structures currently in the tendering stage, which together aim to store nearly 50 million cubic metres of water. The state has successfully completed 317 check dams under the MATY scheme, facilitating irrigation for 7,120 hectares of farmland.
The Amrit Sarobar Yojana has also made remarkable strides, with 2,385 tanks renovated out of a target of 4,656. Furthermore, the construction of 22,777 Rainwater Harvesting Systems (RWHS) under the MUKTA scheme has contributed significantly to water conservation efforts.
Improvements in irrigation efficiency have been achieved through the adoption of underground pipelines, increasing project efficiency by over 20 per cent. The implementation of a SCADA-based water management system and initiatives for crop diversification have further enhanced water use efficiency.
More than 2.21 lakh hectares of land now benefit from improved irrigation facilities, directly impacting over 2.5 lakh farmers. Recent infrastructure developments include new major and medium irrigation projects designed to cover an additional 1.17 lakh hectares.
In a bid to enhance coastal resilience, Odisha has initiated the raising and strengthening of nearly 200 kilometres of saline embankments, designed to mitigate the effects of cyclones and prevent saline intrusion.
Moreover, the state has pioneered the Faecal Sludge and Septage Management Regulations, ensuring comprehensive treatment solutions across 114 urban local bodies. Training programs for Mission Shakti and Transgender Groups have facilitated operational management of 113 Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs), achieving a remarkable 98 per cent access to safe sanitation for urban residents.
In terms of environmental impact, Odisha has successfully reduced its polluted river stretches from 19 to just 7, reflecting significant improvements in water quality.
Expressing her gratitude upon receiving the award, Anu Garg emphasized the collaborative efforts of the government, the Department of Water Resources, engineers, and community stakeholders that have driven these transformative initiatives. “This recognition is a testament to Odisha’s unwavering commitment to sustainable water resource management,” she added.
