Odisha Launches Mission PoWaR to Ensure Power, Water and Road Access for Every Village

Inter-ministerial committee to oversee progress; CM Majhi emphasises speed, scale and quality in infrastructure rollout

Bhubaneswar : In a major step toward achieving holistic rural development, the Odisha government has unveiled Mission PoWaR (Power, Water and Roads) — an integrated initiative aimed at providing uninterrupted electricity, clean drinking water, and last-mile road connectivity across the state.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed that the mission be executed through a coordinated and time-bound approach to uplift living standards in both rural and urban areas. Power, potable water, and roads — considered the three essential pillars of basic infrastructure — will form the core focus of this state-wide mission.

Integrated Mission for Core Infrastructure

A preparatory meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singh Deo was held in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday to finalise the framework for the ambitious plan. The meeting decided to form an inter-ministerial committee comprising senior officials from the power, panchayati raj, rural development, and housing & urban development departments. This panel will review progress regularly and ensure that projects are executed in an integrated and synchronised manner.

“The mission will work on three defined principles — speed, scale, and standard (quality) — to guarantee timely completion and sustainability of infrastructure projects,” Singh Deo said after the meeting.

He emphasised that the government’s objective is to provide all villages with uninterrupted electricity, safe drinking water, and all-weather roads connecting them to the nearest main routes and service hubs.

Panchayat-Wise Progress and Monitoring

As part of Mission PoWaR’s implementation plan, district collectors will be tasked with submitting panchayat-wise status reports on the availability and gaps in the three sectors. These reports will serve as the foundation for creating district-level roadmaps and prioritising works in habitations yet to be connected.

The inter-departmental coordination mechanism will ensure that bottlenecks are identified and resolved quickly, while monitoring mechanisms will track both physical progress and quality standards.

Water Supply and Health Focus

During the meeting, Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik underlined the government’s target of achieving universal drinking water coverage by March 2027. Special attention will be given to fluoride-affected regions, where water purification and fluoride removal units will be installed to safeguard public health.

“The mission will ensure that no habitation is left behind. Areas that still depend on unsafe water sources will be provided with sustainable, treated water supply systems,” Naik said.

Last-Mile Connectivity for All

To close the gap in road connectivity, Mission PoWaR will conduct a saturation drive in collaboration with line departments and district administrations. Habitations and hamlets currently without motorable roads will be covered through small or standalone projects to ensure every household has access to essential public services and markets.

Officials said this coordinated model of infrastructure development would not only reduce duplication of efforts but also improve efficiency and accountability across departments.

A Unified Vision for Inclusive Growth

Mission PoWaR represents the state government’s renewed commitment to inclusive, equitable development. By integrating three crucial sectors under one umbrella, Odisha aims to accelerate its progress toward Vikasita Odisha @ 2036, the long-term vision of a modern, connected, and self-reliant state.

With strong political backing and an outcome-oriented framework, the mission is expected to emerge as a transformative initiative, bridging rural-urban gaps and ensuring that every citizen — regardless of geography — has access to the basic necessities of modern living.