Bhubaneswar Battles 65.5 MLD Water Deficit; Odisha Orders Statewide Survey to Ensure Long-Term Water Security
BHUBANESWAR – In a significant move to tackle the mounting water crisis in the state capital and across urban Odisha, the state government has ordered a comprehensive survey of water-deficient urban centers and the fast-tracking of major infrastructure projects.
The announcement followed a high-level review of the Water Security Plan for Bhubaneswar and its adjoining areas, chaired by Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development Department, on January 7, 2026.
Bhubaneswar’s Growing Crisis
Bhubaneswar is currently grappling with a 65.50 MLD (Million Litres per Day) water deficit. While the city’s demand has surged to 304 MLD, the current supply capacity stands at 238.50 MLD. This gap is presently being bridged through groundwater sources—a practice the government aims to reduce to ensure sustainability.
The crisis is largely attributed to the city’s explosive population growth. According to official data:
2011 Census: 8.40 lakh residents.
2025 Estimate: 13.03 lakh residents.
Currently, the city draws water from the Mahanadi, Kuakhai, and Daya rivers through six Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) located at Mundali, Palasuni, Chandrasekharpur, Naharkanta, Bhuasuni, and the High-Level Tank system.
Fast-Tracking the Solution
To bridge the deficit and align with the vision of Viksit Odisha 2036 and Viksit Bharat 2047, the Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) has been directed to expedite several key projects:
Mundali 130 MLD Plant: Expected to be commissioned within the next six months, this plant will allow WATCO to extend water supply to all apartments and institutional establishments in the city.
Naharkanta 20 MLD Plant: Scheduled to be operational by 2028.
Viksit Bharat 2047 Roadmap: A proposal for an additional 400 MLD WTP has been tabled to cater to future urban expansion.
50-Year Vision: WATCO will submit a proposal to the Water Resources Department to lift 1,000 MLD of raw water from the Mahanadi River at Mundali in two phases, securing the city’s needs for the next half-century.
Statewide Urban Water Survey
Recognizing that water stress is not limited to the capital, Principal Secretary Usha Padhee has directed WATCO to conduct a comprehensive survey of all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across Odisha.
The survey will specifically target pockets facing acute shortages during summer months. It will evaluate:
Source sustainability and treatment capacity.
Storage and distribution efficiency.
Peak seasonal demand to prioritize government intervention and targeted investments.
Debabrata Mohanty, Managing Director of WATCO, highlighted that while infrastructure is being augmented, operational and administrative hurdles remain. The government has committed to escalating these issues for “early resolution” to ensure that no further delays stall these critical life-line projects.
