Known for promoting inspiring stories and impactful governance initiatives, Mahindra recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to commend Puri's transformation into a city where residents can confidently drink water straight from the tap without the need for boiling, filtering, or purchasing bottled water.
In his post, Mahindra reflected on the irony that while rivers are deeply revered in India, people often hesitate to trust the water supplied to their homes. He wrote that Puri's achievement fascinated him, describing it as a remarkable example of how effective governance can improve everyday life.
According to Mahindra, the city's success demonstrates what can be accomplished when political leadership, efficient administration, and active community participation work together. He also highlighted the crucial role played by local women known as "Jal Sathis," who have helped monitor water quality, spread awareness, and build public confidence in the city's water supply system.
"My #MondayMotivation this week comes from leaders and participative citizens who proved that governance can genuinely improve the quality of everyday life," Mahindra said.
How Puri Achieved the Transformation
A video shared by Mahindra outlines the city's remarkable journey over the past decade. Like many Indian urban centers, Puri once struggled with inadequate water infrastructure. Only around half of the households had access to piped water, while many residents relied on water tankers and bottled water for their daily needs.
The city also faced significant challenges from leaking pipelines, with nearly 47% of supplied water being lost before reaching consumers. Contamination concerns and irregular water supply further affected public trust in the system.
To address these issues, the Odisha government launched an ambitious modernization program focused on creating a 24x7 smart water distribution network. The upgraded system uses advanced monitoring technology, including sensors that continuously track water flow, pressure, and chlorine levels across the network.
Water sourced from the Bhargavi River undergoes comprehensive treatment, filtration, and quality monitoring before being delivered to households. This technology-driven approach has helped ensure a consistent supply of safe drinking water throughout the city.
The Role of Jal Sathis
One of the most significant aspects of the initiative has been the involvement of local women known as Jal Sathis. These community representatives have played a key role in educating residents about water safety, conducting outreach programs, and encouraging public trust in the upgraded water system.
Their efforts have helped bridge the gap between infrastructure improvements and public acceptance, ensuring that residents feel confident consuming tap water directly.
Tangible Results
Today, nearly 2.5 lakh residents of Puri receive BIS-certified drinking water directly through their taps. The city's improved infrastructure also benefits approximately 20 million tourists who visit Puri annually.
The transformation has produced substantial environmental and operational gains as well. Water loss due to leakages has reportedly declined from 47% to around 15%, while the reduced dependence on bottled water has helped cut plastic waste by nearly 400 metric tonnes each year.
Puri's success story is increasingly being viewed as a model for urban water management in India, demonstrating how technology, effective governance, and community participation can work together to deliver essential public services and improve quality of life.
