Bhubaneswar: To guarantee a reliable supply of electricity, drinking water, and road access, the Odisha government has proposed initiatives under Mission PoWaR (Power, Water, and Roads). These three essential services are fundamental for citizens in both rural and urban settings. To tackle these issues and enhance living standards, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has instructed the establishment of an integrated implementation system known as Mission PoWaR. To actualize this vision, a preparatory meeting was convened on Tuesday, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo. During the meeting, it was decided to form an inter-ministerial committee, alongside officials from relevant departments, to regularly assess the progress of projects, as stated on Tuesday.
The roadmap and timeline for status reports on a panchayat basis will be consistently gathered from district collectors. The goal of Mission PoWaR is to provide electricity, drinking water, and last-mile connectivity to every village. Singh Deo noted that the mission will operate on three defined principles: speed, scale, and quality. An integrated strategy will ensure that projects are implemented and completed within set timelines. Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik emphasized the importance of achieving universal drinking water coverage by March 2027. Areas affected by fluoride will be included in the fluoride removal initiative to promote a healthy lifestyle.
To achieve last-mile connectivity, a saturation drive will be organized by all relevant departments with the aid of district collectors, addressing previously overlooked habitations and hamlets through smaller or individual projects.