Bhubaneswar, Nov 6: In a bid to develope rural infrastructure, Odisha Government has announced its plan to launch of ‘Mission PoWaR’ — an ambitious initiative aimed at ensuring Power, Water, and Road connectivity to every village in the state by 2027. A preparatory meeting has been scheduled in this regard on November 11 at the Lok Seva Bhawan, according to an official letter, issued by the state's Energy Department.

The programme, which stands for PoWaR (Power-Water-Road), is likely to be executed in priority mode. Concerned departments are likely to be directed to submit draft proposals within a fixed timeline to ensure swift implementation.

Despite previous efforts, many villages in Odisha still lack basic road connectivity, making access to emergency services like ambulances difficult. Similarly, lakhs of households remain without electricity and safe drinking water. The Odisha CM acknowledged these gaps in a note and emphasized the urgency of bridging them through coordinated action.

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As per official data, nearly 8,300 of Odisha’s 59,971 villages still lack access to all-weather roads. This lack of connectivity has frequently resulted in ambulances being unable to reach remote locations, forcing patients — including expectant mothers — to be physically carried to the nearest point accessible by vehicle.

The scenario is equally concerning when it comes to piped drinking water. The previous government's commitment to ensure universal access by 2022 remains largely unmet, and with current project delays, the revised deadline of 2026 also appears uncertain. Likewise, despite various central and state initiatives, a significant number of households are still waiting to be connected to electricity.

‘Mission PoWaR’ aims to address these long-standing issues by integrating infrastructure development across departments.

A preparatory meeting has been scheduled for November 11, where officials are likely to discuss execution strategies and finalize operational frameworks. The meeting will be chaired by Deputy CM KV Singh Deo at Lok Seva Bhawan.

The initiative is expected to significantly improve the quality of life in remote and underserved areas, enabling better access to healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities. It also aligns with the government’s broader vision of inclusive growth and rural empowerment.

Officials believe that with focused planning and inter-departmental coordination, ‘Mission PoWaR’ can transform Odisha’s rural landscape and set a benchmark for other states.