Bhubaneswar: In a move to modernise its approach to water governance, the Odisha government is exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for monitoring and managing its water resources more efficiently.
The State Water Informatics Centre (SWIC), under the Department of Water Resources, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar (IIT BBSR), conducted a technical workshop on Monday focused on improving data management and digitisation in the sector. The workshop aimed to equip officials and stakeholders with best practices for using AI in water resource planning and monitoring.
Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department, Anu Garg, inaugurated the session and emphasised the relevance of digitisation across departments. Citing the ongoing development of “Vision documents” for Viksit Odisha @2036 and Viksit Bharat @2047, she said AI tools could enhance transparency and efficiency in governance, especially in water-intensive sectors.
“We are looking at how every department can use AI for better system management. From women-led development to climate-resilient planning, data systems play a crucial role,” Garg said during her address.
Krushna Chandra Mohanty, Director of SWIC, in his keynote, underlined the importance of shifting towards a data-centric governance model to ensure long-term sustainability and equitable water distribution.
The workshop included technical sessions on real-time water resource monitoring, predictive analytics, and digital infrastructure for data integration. Experts showcased examples of AI-powered models being used to predict water demand, detect anomalies in distribution, and improve response times to water stress conditions.
