Bhubaneswar, 01 May (H.S.): A high-level delegation from the Indore Municipal Corporation visited Odisha to study the state’s flagship urban water initiatives, including the ‘Drink From Tap’ (DFT) programme and the 24x7 piped water supply system.
The delegation, led by Municipal Commissioner Kshitij Singhal, held a detailed consultation with Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development, Usha Padhee at Unnati Bhawan following field visits across key project sites. The interaction focused on understanding the implementation framework and exploring the scalability of Odisha’s water management model for possible replication in Indore.
During the meeting, Usha Padhee highlighted that Odisha’s urban water reforms are anchored in a combination of advanced technology and strong community participation. She noted that the state is open to sharing best practices and informed the delegation about capacity-building support through the Odisha Urban Academy for other cities seeking to adopt similar citizen-centric approaches.
As part of the exposure visit, the delegation toured Puri, regarded as India’s first city to provide round-the-clock safe drinking water supply. The team inspected the Water Treatment Plant and interacted with community volunteers, gaining insights into grassroots participation in service delivery.
In Bhubaneswar, the delegation visited Salia Sahi to observe inclusive water supply models catering to informal settlements, ensuring equitable access to safe drinking water. They also reviewed operations at the SCADA-based Command and Control Centre, which enables real-time monitoring of water supply, pressure, and quality.
Kshitij Singhal commended the Odisha model, stating that its integration of technology with community engagement offers valuable lessons for urban water management. Officials from Water Corporation of Odisha emphasized that while infrastructure ensures 24x7 supply, sustained public awareness and participation are key to the success of the ‘Drink From Tap’ initiative.
Authorities from Odisha’s Housing and Urban Development Department, WATCO, and Indore Municipal Corporation agreed to continue collaboration and knowledge exchange to strengthen urban service delivery systems across cities.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
