Odisha's Mission PoWaR: Enhancing Power, Water, Roads

Bhubaneswar, Nov 12 (PTI) - The Odisha government has initiated measures to ensure uninterrupted power, drinking water, and enhanced road connectivity under the Mission PoWaR initiative.

The initiative seeks to address the fundamental needs of power, drinking water, and roads, aiming to uplift the living standards of citizens in both rural and urban areas. The program, directed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, promotes an integrated system of implementation.

A preparatory meeting, led by Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo, took place on Tuesday to strategize the mission's execution. An inter-ministerial committee, along with line department officials, will be established to regularly review the progress, as per the statement released on Tuesday.

Furthermore, a panchayat-wise status report will be collected routinely from district collectors, ensuring a detailed roadmap and timeline for the mission's objectives. The ultimate goal of Mission PoWaR is to provide essential services such as power, drinking water, and road connectivity to every village. Deputy Chief Minister Singh Deo emphasized that the mission will operate on three pillars: speed, scale, and standard (quality).

The integrated approach promises timely completion of projects. Additionally, Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik highlighted the aim of achieving universal drinking water coverage by March 2027. Special attention will be given to areas affected by fluoride through a dedicated fluoride removal plan to promote healthier living conditions.

For last-mile connectivity, a saturation drive will be conducted with the involvement of all line departments and district collectors. The focus will be on covering left-out habitations and hamlets through small or standalone projects.