Glory: Rayagada’s water revolution wins national award

Community-driven efforts fetch Rs 25 lakh prize, turning policy into people’s power

By Chandrabhanu Singh

Rayagada, Sept. 26: Rayagada district has earned national recognition for its exemplary work in water conservation, bagging an Rs 25 lakh award from the Union ministry of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation. The district was ranked among the top 67 in the country under Zone-II, Category-III for 2019, a milestone that officials and villagers alike are celebrating as a shared achievement.

Between April 2024 and May 2025, Rayagada witnessed a remarkable transformation under ‘Jala Shakti and Jana Bagidari campaign.’ Thousands of water conservation structures came up across villages — not just as tanks or ponds, but as lifelines sustaining farms, households, and communities. The Panchayat Raj and Drinking Water Department constructed 5,775 storage structures, the Water Conservation Department added 500, and the Forest and Environment Department built another 130. These interventions meant that ponds held rainwater longer, wells did not dry up prematurely, and farmlands stayed green beyond the monsoon.

For residents like Sunita Naik of Muniguda block, the change has been profound.

“Earlier, we would wait hours for the tanker. Now, the pond near our village lasts through the summer. My daughters can go to school instead of standing in line for water,” she said with relief.

The turnaround was powered by teamwork on the ground. District Chief Development and Executive Officer (CDEO) Shri Akshay Kumar Khemundu supervised the drive as nodal officer of the JSJB (1.0) portal, while engineers and field staff ensured timely execution. Central Nodal Officer Vishwa Binayak Balawant Ray, along with engineers Rakesh Sahu, Smt. Sonli Pradhan, and Vijay Kumar Parida, played a key role in the success.

District Magistrate Ashutosh Kulkarni hailed the recognition as a “collective victory,” pledging to sustain the momentum under JSJB (2.0).

Rayagada’s story stands as a beacon for regions grappling with water scarcity. Experts believe the district has proved that when policy aligns with people’s participation, lasting change is possible. For its farmers, women, and children, the award is not just a trophy — it is a promise of dignity, opportunity, and a sustainable future.