Rajasthan’s water infrastructure will undergo a significant change due to the central government’s implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and the state government’s deliberate attempts to lessen dependence on groundwater.
Engineers from the Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) have projected that by 2026, more than 90% of the state’s areas will be connected with surface water. Before implementing the JJM in 2019, only 50% of Rajasthan’s places had access to surface water, making it one of the largest consumers of groundwater among the Indian states.
In the last four years, the state government has given approval for 33 surface water projects aimed at addressing this issue.
“If everything goes according to plan, we aim to complete all these projects by 2026. Once completed, 90% of the areas in Rajasthan will be connected with surface water,” stated Dinesh Goyal, Chief Engineer (Special Projects) of PHED.
These 33 projects have a combined estimated cost of Rs 48,666.81 crore, with the state contributing Rs 28,972.30 crore and the central government funding Rs 19,373.14 crore, as confirmed by PHED officials.
The Jal Jeevan Mission has been instrumental in promoting sustainable water supply infrastructure across the country, with a particular focus on rural areas. By connecting a significant portion of Rajasthan with surface water, the mission aims to improve access to clean and reliable water sources, thus reducing the state’s reliance on groundwater.
The initiatives undertaken by the central and state governments reflect their commitment to ensuring a more sustainable and secure water future for the people of Rajasthan. With the completion of these surface water projects, the state is poised to witness a transformative change in its water management practices.
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