A high-level meeting chaired by Odisha’s Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Anu Garg, brought together senior officials from key departments—Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water (PR&DW), Rural Development, Works, Forest & Environment, Energy—and representatives from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to address implementation challenges in critical water supply initiatives.

This was the second review meeting following the initial session on July 4, 2025, where 151 pending issues were identified. Progress was evident, with 99 issues resolved to date. Garg urged departments to expedite efforts to clear the remaining 52 issues, ensuring project momentum. Key outcomes included scheduling a follow-up review within 15 days, led by the PR&DW Commissioner-cum-Secretary, and a comprehensive Inter-Departmental Committee meeting in a month. Special sessions were also planned to address forest clearance delays and encroachments along national highways that hinder pipeline works.

The meeting reinforced a collective resolve to provide universal, reliable, and safe drinking water to every rural household in Odisha. Anu Garg highlighted the importance of sustained inter-departmental coordination, framing the mission as a transformative step towards improving rural livelihoods through clean water access.