OST Bureau

Bhubaneswar, Nov 2:

The state government has asked the Centre to provide technical as well as financial assistance for the implementation of the Odisha State Urban Water Policy-2013, which was cleared by the state Cabinet last month.

The water policy envisaged universal access to potable 24X7 piped water supply to 106 urban local bodies, including three corporations, at an affordable price.

“The policy proposes an investment of Rs 4380 crore over an implementation period of 12 years starting 2015 to 2027. Technical as well as financial support from the Ministry of Urban Development will be essential for successful implementation of the new policy initiative of the state,” said Injeti Srinivasan, additional chief secretary of Urban Development (UD) department in a letter to Sudhir Krishna, secretary in the Union ministry of Urban Development.

All possible sources of funding, including multilateral, bilateral, central, state, institutional and PPP funding shall be explored to operationalise the investment plan, said sources.

The policy provides a framework for meeting national service level benchmarks, achieve consumer orientation and to address the issues and challenges of urban water supply.  A steering committee headed by the Chief Minister will monitor the implementation of policy frame work.