Parliament Question: Drinking water and irrigation in the State of Odisha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 260 ANSWERED ON 02/02/2026 DRINKING WATER AND IRRIGATION IN THE STATE OF ODISHA 260. SHRI MUZIBULLA KHAN: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) coverage of households under Jal Jeevan Mission in the State of Odisha; (b) steps taken to address drinking water scarcity in KBK districts; (c) irrigation projects supported by Central Government; (d) funds released under central water schemes; and (e) measures to ensure sustainable groundwater management in the State? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA) (a) Since August 2019, the Government of India is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal, in partnership with States/ UTs including Odisha, to make provision of tap water connection to every rural household of the country. As reported by the state of Odisha on JJM-IMIS, at the start of JJM on 15.08.2019, only 3.11 lakh (3.51%) rural households had tap water connections. Since then, around 65.33 lakh additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 28.01.2026, out of 88.65 lakh rural households in state, the provision of tap water connections is available to 68.45 lakh (77.21%) rural households. (b) To ensure reliable access to safe drinking water for water scarcity areas of KBK districts, the Government of Odisha has reported to have undertaken mega piped water supply projects, single village and multi-village schemes, solar piped water supply projects, solar dual pump systems and tube wells. In areas facing difficult terrain and accessibility issues, solar-based water supply projects have been specifically sanctioned. (c) As informed by Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR,RD&GR), eight (08) irrigation projects in the State of Odisha have been prioritised, in consultation with the state government, for phased completion under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana – Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP) and Command Area Development and Water Management (CADWM) Scheme. These projects are Upper Indravati (KBK), Rukura–Tribal, RET Irrigation, Telengiri, Lower Indra (KBK), Subernarekha, Anandpur Barrage Phase-I / Integrated Anandpur Barrage, and Kanupur Page 1 of 3(d) Under JJM, Rs. 7,712.07 crore has been released to state of Odisha from 2019-20 to 2024-25. As informed by DoWR, RD&GR, the total central assistance released since 01.04.2016 till date is Rs. 1,208.86 crore under PMKSY-AIBP for 08 projects of Odisha. Similarly, Rs.131.96 crore has been released under CADWM for projects in Odisha. Furthermore, Central Ground Water Board is implementing the Ground Water Management and Regulation (GWMR) scheme, a central sector scheme, to carry out activities related to exploration, monitoring of water level and water quality, and assessment of ground water resources across the country, including the state of Odisha. Funds under the GWMR scheme are not allocated to the States, as the activities are directly implemented by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). The budget is allocated to the Regional Directors’ Office of CGWB, South Eastern Region, Bhubaneswar. (e) As informed by DoWR, RD&GR, ‘Water’ being a state subject, the aspects related to water resources including its conservation are studied, planned, funded and executed by the State Governments themselves as per their own resources and priorities. The role of the Government of India is limited to being catalytic, providing technical support and in some cases partial financial assistance in terms with the existing schemes being implemented by the Department. However, various steps have been taken to address water scarcity issues in the country including Odisha. These are as follows: i.) CGWB has completed the National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM) project across the entire mappable area of about 25 Lakh sq. km, including Odisha, and shared aquifer maps and management plans with States for implementation. Building on this, NAQUIM 2.0 has been initiated in priority areas to develop highly granular, implementable groundwater management strategies. ii.) CGWB has also prepared the Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater–2020, in consultation with States/UTs, which provides a macro-level framework for rainwater harvesting and recharge structures across different terrains. The Plan envisages about 22,000 structures in Odisha, with implementation to be undertaken by states through existing schemes based on DPRs prepared by the concerned departments. CGWB regularly undertakes groundwater level and quality monitoring and conducts annual assessments of dynamic groundwater resources to support scientific planning and sustainable groundwater management, including in Odisha. iii.) National Water Policy (2012), inter-alia, advocates rainwater harvesting and conservation of water and highlights the need to augment the availability of water through direct use of rainfall. It also underscores that conservation of river, river bodies and infrastructure should be undertaken in a scientifically planned manner through community participation. iv.) The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) regulates groundwater extraction under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, through a system of NOCs, mandating rainwater harvesting and reuse of treated water in infrastructure projects, and advising States on policy measures to reduce overdependence on groundwater. Page 2 of 3v.) A Model Bill has been circulated to States/UTs to facilitate enactment of groundwater legislation, with 21 States/UTs having adopted such laws. Apart from above measures, the important steps taken by the Central Government for sustainable ground water management in the country including Odisha can be seen at https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3a70dc40477bc2adceef4d2c90f47eb82/uploads/2024/0 7/20240716706354487.pdf. ***** Page 3 of 3