CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has come down heavily on the state government for prolonged delay in execution of the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ drinking water project, observing that residents of 135 villages in Cuttack district continue to remain without doorstep water supply even after nearly eight years of the scheme.
A division bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice MS Raman noted that the project was sanctioned in 2017 for Badamba and Narsinghpur blocks and was to be completed within two years. While nearly eight years have elapsed, the supply of drinking water at the doorsteps of the inhabitants of those 135 villages is yet to become a reality, the bench observed while hearing a PIL filed by Ramesh Chandra Das and 11 other residents.
Expressing concern over administrative apathy, the bench pointed out that action was initiated only after a representation was made in 2025. “The administration woke up and started the exchange of correspondences,” the court stated.
Referring to action against the contractor, the bench noted that a show cause notice was issued on January 7, 2026, but no decision followed. “Even after the lapse of the said seven days, the counsel for the state authorities is unable to apprise the court as to whether any decision has been taken thereupon,” it said.
Stressing the importance of access to drinking water, the court remarked, “We are not unmindful of the universal fact that the water is an essential source of life. In the year, 2026, it is inconceivable that several parts of the state are deprived of pure and hygienic drinking water.” The bench added that the motto ‘Har Ghar Jal’ appears to have remained on the papers.
The court directed the engineer-in-chief, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation, to submit a detailed report on progress and steps taken between 2019 and 2025 within two weeks, while clarifying that the pending litigation should not hinder corrective measures. The matter will be heard next on February 24.