Odisha Signs MoU for Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, Sets Roadmap for ‘Har Ghar Jal’ by 2028

In a significant step towards strengthening water management and ensuring universal access to safe drinking water, the Government of Odisha on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Jal Shakti for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0. The agreement will remain effective until 2028.

Centre-State Collaboration to Boost Water Supply

The MoU was signed during a virtual event attended by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi from Lok Seva Bhavan and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil along with Minister of State B. Somanna from New Delhi. The initiative aims to accelerate the implementation of piped drinking water projects across the state.

Clear Roadmap for ‘Har Ghar Jal’

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visionary leadership, the Chief Minister said that the Jal Jeevan Mission has already transformed rural water access across the country, with 77.3% of households receiving tap water connections so far.
He noted that the extension of the mission till 2028 will play a crucial role in achieving the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ target. Odisha has prepared a comprehensive roadmap under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 to ensure universal coverage.

Focus on Digital Monitoring and Public Participation

Majhi emphasized the importance of digital monitoring and community participation in ensuring the success of the mission.
Around 5,000 rural piped water supply schemes have been digitized on the Sujalam Bharat platform, with complete financial convergence achieved. Citizen-centric services have been strengthened through Vasudha helpline, WhatsApp services, and digital grievance redressal systems.

Strengthening Grassroots Institutions

Public participation at the village level has been enhanced through Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs).
“Jal Arpan Diwas” has already been successfully observed in 25 out of 30 districts, with plans to cover the remaining districts soon.

Transforming Lives of Women

The Chief Minister highlighted that the mission has brought a major positive change in the lives of women, who no longer need to travel long distances to fetch water. This has significantly reduced their daily burden and improved quality of life.

Major Achievements in Water Conservation

Under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Odisha has made notable progress in water conservation, including:

• 2.21 lakh water conservation and rainwater harvesting structures
• Restoration of over 43,000 water bodies
• 42,000 groundwater recharge projects
• More than 2 lakh watershed development works
  Additionally, over 2 crore trees have been planted across the state.

Union Minister Highlights Impact

Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil stated that the mission, which began in 2024, has now been extended under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 for the 2026–2028 period. He emphasized that the initiative will improve the quality of life for women and ensure water availability in scarcity-prone areas of Odisha.

Senior Officials Present

The event was attended by Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Ravi Narayan Naik, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Union Secretary Ashok Meena, Development Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary to CM Shashwat Mishra, Finance Secretary Sanjeev Kumar Mishra, and senior officials from the department.

Conclusion

With the signing of this MoU, Odisha has taken a decisive step towards achieving sustainable water management and ensuring safe drinking water for every household, reinforcing its commitment to the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ mission.