CM Majhi Hails PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat Praise for Bhubaneswar Rainwater Work
Synopsis
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on 27 July 2026 welcomed PM Modi's praise for Bhubaneswar's rainwater harvesting work on Mann Ki Baat, calling water conservation a generational responsibility and urging citizens to help build a water-secure Odisha.
Key Takeaways
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi posted on X on 27 July 2026 welcoming PM Modi's recognition of Bhubaneswar 's rainwater conservation on Mann Ki Baat .
The Chief Minister described water conservation as 'our responsibility to the next generation,' not merely a campaign.
Bhubaneswar is a Smart Cities Mission city with documented stormwater and water management upgrades.
National schemes including Jal Shakti Abhiyan and Atal Bhujal Yojana (both 2019 ) underpin Odisha's local conservation efforts.
Majhi called on all residents to collectively save every drop of rainwater toward a water-secure Odisha.
The acknowledgement on Mann Ki Baat reflects cooperative federalism, with state-level actions gaining national platform visibility.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday, 27 July 2026 praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for recognising Bhubaneswar's rainwater conservation efforts on the monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, calling the acknowledgement a matter of pride for the state and urging all Odisha residents to join a collective mission toward a water-secure future.
Posting in Odia on X, Chief Minister Majhi wrote: 'Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji's praise for Bhubaneswar's rainwater conservation efforts on Mann Ki Baat is a matter of pride for Odisha. Water conservation is not merely a campaign — it is our responsibility to the next generation. Let us all come together, save every drop of rainwater, and build a water-secure Odisha.'
Context
Mann Ki Baat is Prime Minister Modi's monthly radio address, broadcast nationally, in which he regularly highlights citizen-led and state-level initiatives across sectors including environment, health, and education. The programme has become a significant platform for the Centre to amplify grassroots and urban governance successes, and an acknowledgement on it carries considerable symbolic weight for state administrations. Chief Minister Majhi's post signals that Bhubaneswar's urban water management work has drawn national-level attention.Policy Backdrop
Bhubaneswar is among the cities selected under the Smart Cities Mission, launched in 2015, which has funded stormwater drainage upgrades and integrated water management systems in the state capital. At the national level, the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, launched in 2019, specifically promotes rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge across states, while the Atal Bhujal Yojana, also introduced in 2019, targets groundwater improvement through community participation. Odisha's local conservation measures align with these central programmes under the broader National Water Mission framework.Stakeholders and Impact
Urban local bodies in Odisha, particularly the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, are the primary institutional actors responsible for translating rainwater harvesting mandates into on-ground infrastructure. Residents of Bhubaneswar and other Odisha cities stand to benefit through improved groundwater levels, reduced urban flooding, and more reliable water supply during dry months. Chief Minister Majhi's appeal to collective responsibility also targets citizens directly, framing conservation as a civic duty rather than a government-only obligation.What's Next
The Chief Minister's statement is likely to add momentum to calls for expanded rainwater harvesting mandates across Odisha's municipal corporations beyond Bhubaneswar. Observers will watch whether the state's next budget cycle includes enhanced allocations for water conservation infrastructure, and whether the national recognition translates into scaled-up implementation under existing central schemes. The post also sets a political tone — aligning the state BJP government's environmental credentials with the Centre's narrative on water security and climate adaptation.Point of View
Majhi elevates the issue beyond electoral cycles, which also insulates it from short-term political scrutiny. The Mann Ki Baat mention gives Bhubaneswar's Smart Cities work a national endorsement that can be cited in future budget discussions and voter outreach. More broadly, the post fits a wider pattern in which state capitals compete for positive mentions on the Prime Minister's radio address as a soft measure of Centre-state alignment.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PM Modi say about Bhubaneswar on Mann Ki Baat?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Bhubaneswar's rainwater conservation efforts during his Mann Ki Baat radio address, according to a post by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on 27 July 2026. The exact episode date and wording of the Mann Ki Baat reference have not been independently confirmed.
What is Odisha doing for rainwater harvesting?
Bhubaneswar, Odisha's capital, has implemented rainwater harvesting and stormwater drainage upgrades under the Smart Cities Mission. These efforts align with central schemes such as the Jal Shakti Abhiyan and Atal Bhujal Yojana, both launched in 2019.
Who is Mohan Charan Majhi?
Mohan Charan Majhi is a BJP leader who became Chief Minister of Odisha in 2024. He has focused on state-level water, infrastructure, and development initiatives since taking office.
What is Mann Ki Baat?
Mann Ki Baat is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio programme, broadcast nationally, in which he highlights citizen-led and state-level efforts on public issues including environment, health, and education.
What is the Jal Shakti Abhiyan?
The Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a central government campaign launched in 2019 to promote rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge across Indian states, forming part of the broader National Water Mission framework.
