Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on 10 January, 2026 laid the foundation stone for a major drinking water supply project in Sambalpur, aimed at ensuring round-the-clock access to safe water for city residents.

With an estimated cost of Rs 451.24 crore, the project seeks to address Sambalpur’s long-standing water shortages and improve overall urban living conditions. Around 340 kilometres of pipelines will be laid across the city, along with the construction of one intake well and two modern water treatment plants of 65 MLD and 35 MLD capacity for Sambalpur and Burla respectively. Once operational, the system will supply nearly 100 million litres of treated water daily to households, benefiting about five lakh people across 41 wards.

Implemented under the Centre’s AMRUT 2.0 mission and the “Drink From Tap” programme, the project will allow residents to consume water directly from taps. Highlighting its importance, the Chief Minister said, “Access to safe drinking water is essential for healthy living.”