The State Government would soon finalise a policy to provide metered water supply to all urban homes within the next 10 years. The draft legislation of the policy will be finalised within a month and put up before the Cabinet for its approval in May. This was decided at a high level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the secretariat here on Monday.

The new policy requires the consumers to avail the facility through metered water connections and pay accordingly like the other monthly utility bills. As per the plan, 50 per cent of urban areas will be covered in the next five years while the rest will be connected in the following five years.

Now residents of only 21 urban areas in the State are getting the national average per day per capita water of 135 litres while people of 49 urban centres are receiving water much below the average. Census 2011 figures show that compared to 21.1 per cent people in 2001, around 18.5 pc has to travel beyond 100 metres for drinking water in urban areas.

The Chief Minister directed the Urban Development department to provide drinking water to all scarcity areas and places which are not easily accessible.

Besides, he has also asked the officials to ensure repair of all the defunct tube wells and damaged pipelines. Official sources said water is being supplied through 286 tankers at present and the number will be raised. Besides, 25,019 tube wells are in working condition and 4,000 new ones will be installed by June. Control rooms have also been opened to receive complaints regarding drinking water and take immediate steps.

 Out of the 509 pipe water projects, 359 have been completed. Besides, 220 out of the 412 projects for schools and anganwadi centres have been completed.

Water policy

* Metered water supply to all urban homes within the next ten years.

* Consumers can avail the facility through metered water connections and pay, like other monthly utility bills.

* To begin with, 50 pc urban households will be covered in the next 5 years.

* The Chief Minister directed the urban development department to ensure drinking water to all scarcity areas and places which are not easily accessible.