Rs 750 cr Odisha plan to provide fluoride-free drinking water in Nuapada, Kalahandi district.

The Odisha government has decided to launch a mega drinking water project for Nuapada and Kalahandi, the two districts most affected by fluoride contamination. The proposed project, targeted to be completed in two years, would cost of Rs 750 crore, official sources said.

The state government approved the mega project proposal mooted by the Rural Development department after realizing that it would take at least 15-20 years for completion of minor drinking water projects aimed at providing clean, fluoride-free drinking to nearly 1000 villages spread over 16 districts.

The government also took note of the frequent strictures of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the failure of the government in providing fluoride-free drinking water to the people of the affected villages.

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has agreed in principle to provide financial assistance for this mega project under its Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) scheme, official sources said. A high-level team of NABARD officials will have a meeting with the state government in this regard on January 8, they added.

odishasuntimes.com