Tukuni Sahu, the state’s minister for water resources, stated on Monday that the state is considering developing a new water policy this year.
“A major discussion about introducing a new water policy this year took place on Sunday. According to Sahu, the state government would consult with experts on methods for groundwater recharging and water conservation.
Odisha’s water availability per person was 3359 m3, and by 2051, that number is anticipated to drop to 2218 m3.
The previous water policy was put into effect by the Odisha government in 2007. According to a senior official in the department of water resources, the state has been observing the decline in the quality of its water resources for the past 15 years due to direct and indirect human intervention.
The official stated that by 2051, “the demand for water from various sectors is anticipated to increase to 55 billion m3 due to increased population and growth in mining and industrial operations.”
Regular droughts and floods are brought on by the whims of the monsoon in various regions of the state. The official said, “We are taking into consideration all these new aspects and want to put down guidelines for intelligent and prudent use of water for the survival of life throughout the new water policy.”
The new water police will be put into place for the next ten years after being discussed with climatology experts on the greenhouse effect, according to departmental sources. The new policy’s main emphasis will be on managing floods and droughts.
Prasanta Patnaik 
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