By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, November 17, 2018: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday launched BASUDHA helpline number- 1916 for rural water supply grievance and unveiled the logo of ‘Buxi Jagabandhu Assured Drinking Water to all Habitations’.

“BASUDHA helpline- 1916, a dedicated grievance management initiative for rural water supply in the State has been opened today for the public. I hope rural people will get access to record their complaints regarding breakdown and non-functioning of projects,” Naveen said on the occasion.

The helpline has been formed to receive complaints regarding drinking supply in rural areas between 6 am and 6 pm. The grievances will be addressed in time bound manner, official sources said.

The chief minister asked the Panchayat Raj and Drinking Water Department (PRDWD) to gear up the execution of projects to achieve the goal of providing safe drinking water to all households in the rural areas.

The Department claimed to have conceptualized 65 mega piped water supply projects at an estimated cost of Rs 10,500 crore and has been able to provide safe drinking water to over 2500 water quality affected habitations. It has also installed over 3000 solar dual pumps, an official press statement said.