THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
OCTOBER 2, 2026
Odisha Housing and
Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra on Friday launched the
statewide ‘Sujala’ campaign, calling upon citizens to conserve water, prevent
wastage and adopt hygienic practices to ensure safe drinking water and
healthier communities.
Organised by the
Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) under the Housing and Urban Development
Department, the campaign will continue from October 2 to 16 across the state.
Launching the
campaign in Bhubaneswar, Mahapatra emphasised the need for responsible water
use and urged people to make conservation a part of their everyday lives.
The campaign, centred
on the theme “Water Conservation — A Necessity Today, the Destiny of Future
Generations,” seeks to create awareness about conserving precious water
resources, ensuring safe drinking water and preventing waterborne diseases.
The initiative will
sensitise citizens about the health risks associated with contaminated water,
including diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid and jaundice. It will also promote
practices such as storing drinking water in clean and covered containers,
maintaining household hygiene, protecting water sources from pollution and
ensuring safe handling of drinking water.
As part of the
campaign, citizens will be encouraged to adopt simple water-saving measures
such as turning off taps when not in use, repairing leaking taps and pipelines
promptly and avoiding the disposal of waste near rivers, ponds, tube wells and
other water sources.
The campaign will
also promote rainwater harvesting, reuse of water wherever feasible and regular
cleaning of household overhead and underground water storage tanks.
Emphasising the
shared responsibility of the government and citizens, the campaign carries the
motto: “Water Supply Is Our Responsibility; Water Conservation Is Your Duty.”
While public
utilities are responsible for ensuring regular and safe water supply, the
department said preventing wastage and protecting water sources require active
public participation.
Citizens have also
been urged to use the department's toll-free helpline numbers 155359 and
1800-1216-833 to report water-supply-related problems and seek assistance.
MLA Babu Singh, who
attended the programme as the Guest of Honour, also addressed the gathering.
Engineer-in-Chief,
Public Health Engineering Organisation (PHEO), Bilas Behera, and WATCO Managing
Director Debabrata Mohanty were among those present, along with other
departmental officials and staff.
The Odisha government
has appealed to people across the state to participate in the campaign and
translate its message into everyday action.
The initiative aims to strengthen public participation in water conservation, improve hygiene, protect water sources and promote sustainable water management in the state's urban areas.
The campaign's message is simple: every drop saved today can help secure a healthier and water-secure tomorrow.
