Transforming Lives through Functional Household Tap Connections in 19 villages of Hatadihi Block of Keonjhar District
Bhubaneswar, 30/11/2024: Hatadihi block in Odisha has become a shining example of transformative progress with the completion of a Mega Pipe Water Supply (PWS) project. Funded under the Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC), this ambitious initiative has brought treated drinking water directly to the doorsteps of 5,385 households across 19 villages, significantly enhancing the quality of life for over 18,000 residents.
Before the Project: The Struggle for Safe Water
Before the commissioning of this project, the villagers depended entirely on 170 tube wells and sanitary wells scattered across the region. Women and children often walked distances ranging from 50 to 200 meters daily to fetch water. These challenges were compounded during summers and other periods of high demand when water scarcity was more pronounced.
The Change: Treated Water at the Doorstep
With the launch of the Mega PWS project, every household in these 19 villages has been equipped with a Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC). This development ensures a reliable supply of safe, treated drinking water, eliminating the daily struggles faced by families and empowering the women of the region to invest their time and energy into other productive pursuits.
Impact Beyond Water Access
The benefits of this project are manifold:
- Women Empowerment: With the time saved from fetching water, women can now focus on education, livelihood, and family care.
- Health Improvements: The availability of clean water has reduced waterborne diseases, promoting better community health.
- Ease of Living: Children now have more time for studies, and the entire household benefits from improved hygiene and sanitation.
A Model for Progress
The project, funded by OMBADC, showcases how resources from mineral-bearing areas can be effectively used for sustainable development and equitable growth. Hatadihi’s transformation underlines Odisha’s commitment to ensuring functional household tap connections for every household, as part of its larger goal of universal water access.
This success story of Hatadihi block exemplifies the power of well-planned interventions and community-centric initiatives of the Government.
Ensuring Water Access for Every Household in 35 villages
of Khariar Block of Nuapada District, Odisha
Transforming Lives Through Functional Household Tap Connections
Odisha continues its mission to provide functional household tap connections to every household, bringing the vision of universal access to safe drinking water closer to reality. One of the standout achievements in this effort is the successful implementation of a Mega Pipe Water Supply (PWS) project, transforming the lives of thousands of villagers.
TheKhariar Block Project: A Lifeline for 35 Villages
The recently completed Mega PWS project in Ranipur, Chandel, Dhanksar, Bhaludungri & Gudaveliand Adjoining Villages of Khariar block, Nuapada district, serves as a beacon of progress. This ambitious initiative spans 35 villages, directly benefiting 33,490 people. With 8,627 households now connected to the water supply network, the project ensures that every family in these villages has reliable access to treated drinking water at their doorstep.
Empowering Women and Families
This project has particularly benefited women, who traditionally bore the responsibility of fetching water. Before the initiative, they often travelled long distances daily to access water, consuming significant time and energy. With the tap connections, women now have the opportunity to engage in education, work, and family care, fostering empowerment and improved quality of life.
A Model of Comprehensive Development
Key outcomes of the project include:
- Enhanced Public Health: Safe and treated water reduces the prevalence of waterborne diseases.
- Economic Growth: The time saved in fetching water can now be utilized for income-generating activities.
- Community Well-being: Families enjoy better hygiene, and children have more time for education and play.
A Shared Vision for a Better Future
The success of this initiative underscores Odisha’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development. Projects like these demonstrate how focused interventions and strategic investments can significantly improve living conditions, creating a ripple effect of benefits for communities. This is not just a story of water supply; it is a story of empowerment, health, and hope, setting an inspiring example for other regions to emulate.
Sri Rabi Narayan Naik, Minister Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, Rural Development has affirmed that such projects would contribute to the overall development of the state.
