Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched the 'Drink From Tap' initiative in five urban areas and 149 wards of 13 towns in the state on the occasion of third anniversary of the scheme.

The event was held at the Lok Seva Bhawan here.

Starting from today, the 'Drink From Tap' scheme became operational in Rairangpur, Birmitrapur, Rajgangpur, Champua, and Nimapada.

Furthermore, residents in several suburbs of Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sundargarh, Vyasanagar, Khurda, Jatni, Hinjilikatu, Barbil, Joda, Keonjhar and Anandpur can avail the service.

Around 12 lakh people living in these areas will be benefited with the launch.

The initiative, aimed at ensuring access to clean drinking water for every household, began as a pilot project in Bhubaneswar and Puri.