Bhubaneswar: In an announcement made on Friday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik revealed that the Odisha Government is set to invest a whopping Rs 75,000 crore over the next five years towards the progress of the water sector. This commitment comes on the heels of the state government's approval of projects worth Rs 46,000 crore in the same sector over the past four years.

During a felicitation ceremony honoring Team Odisha and Ganjam district for their exceptional achievement in securing the National Water Awards, Patnaik expressed the utmost importance his government places on the development of water resources.

"Our dedication to fulfilling the aspirations of our people has led to the completion of numerous projects in recent years. The growing expectations of our citizens push us to strive harder. It is crucial to recognize that any impact on our water resources profoundly affects agriculture and the livelihoods of our beloved farmers," emphasized CM Patnaik.

While the state has been acknowledged as the second-best in water conservation and management, Ganjam district stands proud as the top recipient of the 4th National Water Awards among districts.

Patnaik also highlighted the successful implementation of the 5-T principles by the Water Resources Department, resulting in visible outcomes. Several irrigation projects, including Lower Suktel, Kanupur project, Subarnarekha, Chheligada, and others, are nearing completion.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister emphasized that the state's irrigation potential and the lives of millions of farmers will be transformed by the in-stream storage structures and large-scale lift projects currently underway.

"In order to make Odisha a Water Secure State as soon as possible, the Water Resources Department must devise strategies and construct climate-resilient, sustainable water infrastructure. Moreover, all Collectors should follow the lead of Collector Ganjam and undertake extensive water conservation measures to meet the water demands of their respective districts," added Patnaik.

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